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A new proposal to add small cameras to police-issued
handguns is making its way in New York.
State Senator Eric Adams, a Brooklyn Democrat and former
police officer, is sure that this measure will bring transparency to court
cases involving police shootings. He is very supportive of the program which
would require digital cameras to be fixed to the handguns of police officers in
New York. The
cameras will record shooting events and, if needed, the videos could be
reviewed and thus eliminate all doubts about the events.
“It's a great opportunity for some clear and specific
answers. After the Sean Bell and Diallo shootings there was a question mark of
what happened,” Adams said, according to USA
Today.
The five ounce cameras are called PistolCams and cost $695
each. The cameras would be activated as soon as an officer’s gun is drawn from
his holster and they can record about 60 minutes worth of data.
“We believe the state of New York can lead the country. There no longer
can be a question mark that lingers after shootings,” added Adams.
State police are taking a closer look at the technology and,
if proved credible, the program would be tested and may ultimately lead to a
state-wide mandate for the gun cameras.
Given the fact that there are about 38,000 police officers,
in New York
only, equipping the force with the gun cameras would cost nearly $28 million,
reports a local source.
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