San Jose Police Department Testing Head Mounted Cameras
December 21, 2009
SAN JOSE, CA. — In what is said to be a ground breaking decision, San Jose Police are now being outfitted with bluetooth cell phone earpieces and head-mounted cameras. This new device will record their interactions with the public and perhaps, quell the steam which has been brought about by recent complaints regarding the SJPD using excessive force.
Chief Rob Davis stated the small camera will be tested by 18 patrol officers. They will turn the cameras on whenever they speak to someone in public. They will then download the videos after the end of their shifts. The officers cannot control, edit or delete any of these recordings.
It is stated that San Jose will be the first major American city to adapt using the recording devices, known as the AXON project. They are developed by Taser International, an Arizona based company. By the way, Taser will also foot the bill for the experiment. Each kit will cost $1,700, with an additional monthly officer fee of $99.
With budget cuts and the economy the way it is, each department will have to come out of pocket to outfit every officer with the AXON device. If they choose to do so, the cameras could come with a price tag of approximately $4 million per year.
