Gotta get me one of these...
Category: Local...
Posted Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 07:28 AM [GMT-6]

A story in this morning's Midland Reporter-Telegram (no online version) describes some amazing new technology recently acquired by the Midland Police Department:

At Tuesday's City Council briefing, Midland Police Office officials updated the Council on the $112,000 purchase of digital cameras and server.

During the presentation, they demonstrated one of their favorite features: The digital cameras have the capability to recall 60 seconds before when the officer pressed record on the unit.

For example, if an officer witnesses someone cruise through a traffic light but does not have the camera on, the officer can press record and have the minute that was not recorded recalled and recorded.

So, how cool is that? The camera anticipates what you wanted to tape but weren't quick enough to grab, and starts itself before you even knew you wanted it! Now that's my kind of technology.

Update: Here's the link to the story. Thanks, Bert.

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http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10212590&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475621&rfi=6

Online version. Must have been posted late.

Posted by: Bert at September 24, 2003 09:12 AM

Back in the old days (before they got the digital cameras) they used video cameras which were installed in the police cars and set to begin recording either when they were manually turned on or when the officer activated the siren/lights.

From what I understand, they attempted to keep the tapes of arrests until all appeals had been exhausted. They were said to have had a room full of tapes, and I would imagine that retrieval of a tape of a single incident must have been a very time consuming process.

Posted by: George at September 24, 2003 04:48 PM

George, this is one area where technology will be a wonderful timesaver, in addition to increasing effectiveness. Even though I made fun of the story itself, I think the concept is great. I suspect it's something like "Tivo for Cops."

Posted by: Eric at September 24, 2003 05:27 PM
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