ACLU of New Jersey’s Post

A man was sexually assaulted in jail after being falsely accused of armed robbery due to a faulty facial recognition match, his attorneys said, in a case that further highlights the dangers of the technology’s expanding use by law enforcement. Defendants in the suit include Macy’s, Sunglass Hut’s parent company EssilorLuxottica and 3 people his attorneys say were involved in the case. He is seeking $10 million in damages. Retailers increasingly are using facial recognition software to patrol their stores for shoplifters and other unwanted customers. But the technology’s accuracy is highly dependent on technical factors — the cameras’ video quality, a store’s lighting, the size of its face database — and a mismatch can lead to dangerous results. The plaintiff, who is White, joins 6 other people, all of whom are Black, who have reported being wrongfully accused of crimes due to faulty facial recognition matches. I’d be surprised if there’s not another suit filed against the police department where the assault took place. #insurance #underwriting #insuranceindustry #reinsurance

This is an interesting and comprehensive exposé on the use of police body-worn cameras, most specifically in the New York City Police Department, but certainly relevant in the broader peace officer use of body-worn cameras as a tool. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that cameras, like any other tool, cannot fulfill promises. Accountability is an active engagement of people in an ethical, predictable, steadfast, and systematic manner. People hold people accountable. Furthermore, regardless of what camera footage captures, the decision-making is all about who the policing entity authorizes to wear the badge and the camera, and how the individual has been inculcated to serve. Culture is far more powerful than the fear of what footage will reveal.  #policing #lawenforcement #accountability

Over the years, many police departments embraced reforms, including the use of bodycams, to document incidents – an effort bolstered by a public eager to use smartphones to record the behavior of cops. In 2015, the Washington Post created a database logging every person shot dead by police in the U.S. The belief was that this attention would make all law enforcement officers, especially the bad ones, think twice before pulling the trigger, and significantly reduce the number of shootings – which stood at 994 the year Brown was shot. Instead, there have been steady, incremental increases. “Police killed the highest number of people on record in 2023,” the Post reported as the number of deadly police-involved shootings hit 1,162 last year. But if neither a glaring spotlight nor reform gestures to date have moved the needle much in terms of reducing fatal police shootings, perhaps something else explains law enforcement lethality and public alarm about it. Note - The above content was taken directly from the posted article with no edits.

The recent event in Canton, Ohio, where police officers had a fatal encounter with a man armed with a pellet gun highlights a critical issue often overlooked in law enforcement - the evaluation and review of body worn camera footage. This incident captured on camera serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes faced by officers on daily basis. Yet, an important question arises - how do police departments effectively manage and utilize such crucial footage? Who reviews it thoroughly to identify any misses and most importantly, what actions are taken after the review? Many law enforcement professionals may feel a sense of uncertainty or discomfort in using this technology. There's no shame in having questions. But, isn’t it better to find answers that support our commitment to protection, service, and integrity? Let's consider the situation if the Canton footage wasn’t available or evaluated effectively? We might have been left with the only side of the story. The vital piece of video evidence tells the real story of our brave police officers who were faced with a split-second response decision. This brings us to the point - Are we confident in our skills and methods of analyzing body worn camera footage? Is there a tool that could enable us to be more effective? Absolutely yes! Meet BlueDotte Audit, a body worn camera auditing tool designed specifically for law enforcement professionals. This tool empowers you to objectively analyze and evaluate the footage, ensuring that the truth is reflected, and any areas needing improvement are addressed. As law enforcement professionals, we should use BlueDotte Audit and understand the narrative from our own actions first. Let's hold ourselves accountable, reflect on our actions, and learn for the future. Don't let lingering questions or doubts stand in the way of transparency and improvement. Visit www.BlueDotteAudit.com for more information or schedule a consultation today. Explore it, use it and appreciate it for what it can contribute towards your body camera evaluations.

This is just another example of a bad policy/procedure based on opinions, political correctness, and agendas and not fact that is being implemented by a Police Department’s “leadership” and their City Council. The only impact this policy will have will be is to destroy the morale of officers and create an atmosphere in which officers will not be proactive in their efforts to protect the community. This lack of proactivity will be due to their fear of being condemned or worse without merit if their law stop doesn’t meet the department’s “optics.” Laws, even vehicle codes, serve a purpose and that is to protect society. While you may think that loud mufflers or loud music from a car is not a big deal, when it prevents the driver from hearing an emergency siren or other audible indications of danger on the roadway it is. A vehicle operating at night with a headlight out or malfunctioning turn signals is not a big deal either until it is the cause of an accident. Traffic enforcement is key part of law enforcement patrol divisions duties and to say “we have more important things to do” is just foolish. Is showing up to take a cold report 10 minutes faster is more important? Is going to a “cookies with rookies” event is more important? Traffic enforcement is an amazing tool for officers to use to find those who have committed far worse crimes before they victimize again. Any good cop can tell stories about how they made several arrests of wanted criminals or people actively committing crimes steaming from a lawful traffic stop. A couple “small” examples are: 1) Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Bomber, was stopped for a license plate violation which led to his arrest for possession of a firearm and later the bombing. 2) Ted Bundy, who confessed to murdering 36 women and is a suspect in the murder of 100 women, was arrested after being stopped for minor traffic violations. De-policing is not the answer to the at times strained relationship between law enforcement and the public. The answer to reducing the strained relationship is proper selection and training of Officers, strong law enforcement leadership, and open communication with the public. Things like this “reduced traffic enforcement” is just for optics and a pathetic attempt to look like a department is being “progressive.” International Association of Chiefs of Police Police Executive Research Forum TEEX - Institute for Law Enforcement and Protective Services Police1 American Police Beat Law Enforcement Today National Police Chiefs' Council Southern Police Institute National Policing Institute Police Strategy Forum California Police Chiefs Association PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California) California College and University Police Chiefs’ Association California Peace Officers' Association National Police Association

The IACP gives out an award "Looking beyond the license plate". Looking Beyond the License Plate Award recognizes the dedication and initiative of individual police officers whose daily efforts during traffic stops play a large part in preventing additional, more severe crimes. This award is designed to substantiate and document the importance of license plates as law enforcement tools and recognize officers who use license plates to prevent and detect both civil traffic violations and further criminal conduct. Not anymore. https://lnkd.in/exz56fNm

🎥 Body Cameras Transforming Law Enforcement in the U.S. According to an article in The Associated Press, over the past decade, body cameras have become widespread in U.S. law enforcement agencies, sparking significant changes in policing practices. A recent discussion hosted by the Police Executive Research Forum shed light on this transformative tool, with representatives from over 200 agencies participating. 👉 Adoption Trends: New York City was among the pioneers in adopting body cameras in 2013, following a federal court finding of discriminatory practices. The trend gained momentum after the 2014 death of Michael Brown, and by 2016, 80% of large departments were using them. Federal agencies have been slower in their adoption. 🔍 Effectiveness Debate: Research on the effectiveness of body cameras is mixed. While studies show that officers with cameras tend to use force less often, other studies indicate no significant difference. The implementation and policies surrounding their usage play a crucial role. 👎🏾 Impact on Citizen Complaints: Despite the debate on the use of force reduction, the consistent finding is a decrease in citizen complaints when officers use body cameras. The awareness of being filmed seems to influence the behavior of both officers and the public they interact with. 👮♂️ Changing Officer Perspectives: Initially met with resistance, body cameras are now supported by many police officers. They serve as a valuable tool in showcasing instances of officers acting responsibly and professionally. 📹 Role in Legal Cases: In San Antonio, body-camera footage played a crucial role in a recent murder case, providing a detailed account of officers' actions during a fatal shooting. The footage contributed to the arrest of three police officers. 🌐 Beyond Complaints: Beyond addressing citizen complaints, body cameras are also being utilized to train officers on effective policing. Departments, like New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police, maintain a library of recorded interactions to highlight positive policing practices. Chief John Mueller reflects, "This is one of the seminal changes in my generation. This has changed the game." What do you think? In the strides that police have made in implementing new technologies over the past decade, what is your opinion on the role/use of body cams? 👎🏾👍🏾🚔🔒🤔 #BodyCameras #LawEnforcement #PolicingChanges #PoliceTechnology #CommunityRelations #BetterPolicing #accountabilitymatters

This article is disturbing on multiple levels. First, these officers are a disgrace and are a disgusting stain on their profession. Secondly, we train our children to go to the police when in trouble because they are trusted to serve and PROTECT. Who in good conscience can make such a recommendation? The counter argument coming my way is certain to be that these perverts are not representative of all law enforcement officers. There is definitely validity to that point of view, but when we look at the numbers of officers engaged involved in such atrocities, we need to be more vigilant about the vetting process to become a police officer. These types of numbers belie a much deeper problem. The power and authority vested in Police Officers may at times attract the wrong personality types who are drawn to the profession for the wrong reasons. Having a gun and badge is a heady experience. I know. I had the experience for over 30 years. I hope I that I never abused that power.

📣 Did you know that body-worn cameras are a game-changer for law enforcement? 🎥👮♂️ They provide an extra layer of protection and accountability. Discover more about their benefits in our latest blog post: https://zurl.co/grY9 #motorolasolutions #lawenforcement #BodyCams #ProtectAndServe 🚔📸 #OfficerSafety #solvingforsafer 💙📹