I began wearing a helmet cam when cycling, and I discovered that many of my near-misses with cars/peds could be avoided by using a little more care in my riding habits. Watching videos can give a person more insight regarding their actions. Potentially, reviewing police videos can improve each officers performance.

I also use a camera when cycling. I've defended myself in court with it when a pedestrian walked out in front of me and claimed it was my fault.
Worth every single penny and may also assist ion catching hit and run drivers as has happened regularly sine the cams became more popular.
Nothing helps gets to the truth of the matter like video evidence :)

"the use of force by police officers dropped by nearly 60 percent when they had cameras on."

There's no clearer proof that the police abuse their power than this statistic. If they are consciously changing their behavior because they know it's being recorded, what does that say about the quality of their behavior all these years when they weren't being watched? The profession naturally attracts megalomaniacs, as it gives them the perfect opportunity to indulge in their power plays. Hopefully with use of body cameras, these bullies will think twice about even joining the force, because it just won't be fun if they can't intimidate and act out with no repercussions. They are sick and need to get help.

It seems like the policeman would be able to turn their camera on and off whenever they like. Will they be able to delete too? If so, I don't see how this addresses the national problem of racism in the police departments. It just seems to be there for the protection of the officers... :(

" If so, I don't see how this addresses the national problem of racism in the police departments. "

What made you think the intended result was to catch wrong doing cops? Most cameras on cops have been used to defend the cops from false accusation by the public...something that happens VERY regularly. Just because something is in the national attention does not mean the issue of bad cps and racism exists in every dept across the nation. The cameras is meant to protect cops from an irrational public, all too willing to scream misconduct. Now the good cops can defend themselves from this sort of behavior.

Thank you Mr. Bailey Park resident for denying the existence of racism in police departments. And thank you Fox News for giving you such a fine education!

Wow, you jumped to a huge conclusion there.
So suggesting the racism is not within every dept is the same as saying it doesn't exists at all in your book?
OK, you wrote it so I gotta think that's what you truly believe.

I personally think the cameras will be good for everyone involved, not just one side.
Also, not that it matters, but my political beliefs are what most on FOX news would consider to be that of a tree hugging bleeding hart liberal.

Yet another Fox News argument. Thanks for that!

Your argument is that since every police department has not been shown to have a problem with racist officers, then that is not the reason for them? Whew! Think much??

Guess what happens when cops know they are being recorded? Much fewer problems with illegal actions by the police, so of course most of the use of them would be against perps.

Unfortunately, by giving the officer the ability to disable and delete footage, they can pick and choose what video evidence survives. That is another reason why cameras like these might pick up more civilian misbehavior than police.

Why does it have to be one or the other? Yes, I agree, much fewer complaints happen when EVERYONE knows they are on camera and the truth will come out. That's BEFORE people know if a cop deleted the footage.

Both sides win with the cameras. Sorry that reality doesn't fit neatly into an all or nothing type thought process. The "All or Nothing" belief requires less complex thought so it's easy to see why some in our population feel this way.

I am not 100 % how it works....what if the Officer decides to turn it on and off at his whim. Can they stay on by default? so the officer has no choice ? what if he takes it off his uniform and beats the shit out of someone? I mean it sounds good....but I do not trust it....and MV cops need it....they are rogue cops!!!!!!!!

I guess we'll all have to come to the grips that there is no such thing as perfection and 100% in anything when it comes to dealing with people.
Its great for cops and citizens alike. Win win for everyone.

I'm so pleased to read this story. Clearer actual accounts of all behaviors will benefit everyone. I congratulate the MVPD for its good sense on this issue. I feel safer for it.

I only wish they would reexamine their need for tasers vs the national stats about the negative results (including deaths esp vav elderly folks) from those interactions.

But mostly thanks for this good choice.

If people know they are on camera, they will not act up as much... it's not "proof" that cameras "make cops behave"

What is a fact is that there are more violent altercations instigated by both sides when there are 2 or more officers rather than a single officer. Neither side want's to look like they aren't "tough"

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