Magnolia's patrol-car cameras reduce complaints

By Banner-News (Magnolia)

The Magnolia Police Department has an extra set of eyes and ears in its patrol cars.

Dashboard cameras have long been used by police departments in major cities. Now the technology has worked its way into the budgets of smaller departments also.

But the Magnolia Police Department was not as fortunate as others to receive a grant for the cameras. According to Lt. John Ferguson, the department spent about $5,000 to purchase the systems.

Dashboard cameras have been used in some Magnolia Police Department vehicles since 1999. All tapes from 1999 to the present are available and have been kept in boxes at the police station.

"There is no set time period that we keep the tapes. We thought about recording over some of the older ones but because of the quality of the tape we can only use them one time," Ferguson said.

Cameras are available in all six patrol units. They are regarded as such an important piece of equipment that, should a camera need repair or replacement, the car is taken out of service until the work is done. Repairs can cost between $400 and $500.

Cameras have benefited the department in different ways.

"One thing about having the cameras is that the number of the complaints has changed," Ferguson said. "Where people would come in and say 'this officer did this to me' we now have evidence to prove who's right and who's wrong."

The responsibility of reviewing tapes in the event of a complaint is primarily on Ferguson. Tapes used as evidence for a trial are reviewed by the prosecutor. Other than their use as evidence, tapes are not reviewed unless there is a complaint.

The best thing about a dashboard camera is that it is a great witness. It does not blink or have any biases. Sound is recorded through a microphone attached to the officer's uniform.

Ferguson said some of the original cameras have been replaced by new 8-millimeter cameras. The original cameras are activated when an officer turns on his emergency lights. The new cameras require manual activation.

Cameras record routine traffic stops, but also high-speed chases and crime scenes. The cameras can also help keep a police officer's attitude under control, making sure they do not abuse their authority. They are also used to justify officer actions against unruly citizens.

According to Ferguson, cameras have helped the department enforce its policies and training procedures.

Should an officer be found in violation of policies or procedures because of what tapes reveal, he is given either counseling or time off.