Digital video police cameras have become a staple in most law enforcement vehicles. The advances in technology related to video systems have benefited police departments greatly, giving their personnel a crutch on which to lean when criminals dispute the events of an infraction. Beyond the squad car arrangements commonly used to defend force or other events surrounding traffic stops, digital video police cameras are being utilized for surveillance and a number of other applications. The quality of images and sounds provided by digital video systems helps to eliminate reasonable doubt in instances where the details of an event are in dispute. Criminals often make accusations against officers when they've been apprehended.


Digital video is often capable of capturing images in situations when traditional video equipment would be hazy or indistinct. Additionally, digital video equipment can be designed in a manner more durable than those holding basic tape mechanisms. There is an increase in the memory of a piece of digital video recording equipment which allows law enforcement personnel to continue recording for extended periods of time without replacing equipment or moving parts. The amount of memory capable of being stored in a digital video unit relative size-wise to comparable equipment without digital capabilities makes using digital equipment a logical conclusion for most law enforcement personnel. Some digital cameras are so compact, for instance, that they are being fashioned into body cameras for officers to have video coverage beyond the range of their cruiser video system. Motorcycles, helicopters, stake-out surveillance teams and boating officers have all begun to use digital video equipment due to its ability to store information in a small, compact apparatus.

Studies and polls being conducted on the effectiveness of video for law enforcement continue to support the practice as effective and legally applicable. One major area in which the digital video equipment has benefited police officers is in the disputed claims of drunk drivers or others with moving violations. Traffic stops were long one of the most hotly contested charges by the offending individual. Knowing that the events which transpired were captured in clear detail on the camera of the arresting officer results in many more please of no contest rather than taking cases to trial. Drunken driving cases taken to trial cost the legal system and the taxpaying citizens of a community a great deal of money. When these cases are taken to court by an individual who knows they were in the wrong but anticipates getting off due to a lack of evidence, the trial can be an infuriating exercise in due process. Digital video police cameras capture drunken driving stops, as well as the sobriety tests conducted after the stop. Failed sobriety tests used in conjunction with video of a swerving car leave the accused with no choice but to fold and accept their punishment.By: John RamirezArticle Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comAbout 10-8Video.com:10-8's police car video system is an affordable solution for smaller departments looking for law enforcement surveillance equipment. To learn more about 10-8 Video, please visit their web site, www.10-8video.com.