Who monitors and maintains the video cameras used on police cars to record officers traffic stops and such?

are they cotrolled by the officers themselves as to when they are turned off or on or if they choose to share the recorded tapes or not? It seems it would be a conflict of interest they would have authority over something that would not always show them in a good light...or is there a way to tell if camera had been erased or something.Who monitors and maintains the video cameras used on police cars to record officers traffic stops and such?
The handling of the tapes is a matter of department policy, and varies between agencies.



Our department has two types of cameras, VHS and digital. Both have locks accessing the storage device. Some departments leave the key assessable to everyone, some assign the key to a supervisor.



With the digital model, you need to have administrative rights to delete files.The Chief determines who has these rights. With the VHS, the unit does not allow you to tape over new video. The tape must be ejected, and a new tape inserted before the unit allows you to tape over the existing video.



Our department does not require you use the video. If you choose to use it, the files are saved for at least 120 days. If you do use it, it automatically turns on with the overhead lights. The digital model goes back one minute from the time it is activated.



Although video taping is not required, almost all the officers use it on a regular basis.Who monitors and maintains the video cameras used on police cars to record officers traffic stops and such?
The cops...



The fox is watching the hen house.Who monitors and maintains the video cameras used on police cars to record officers traffic stops and such?
This should be an internal system used by the police agency.



Their policy (and possibly state law) will dictate when the system would need to be used. I know of some systems that will always record whenever the overhead lights are active (the officer cannot override). Other systems it is manually controlled by the officer.



An agency that does record video should be required to save that video. My agency requires the video to be burned on to a CD and placed into evidence.



Could this video be tampered with? Yes; this would be tampering with evidence and the officer could face criminal charges.
The recorders are locked in the trunk in our dept and if a complaint comes in it is the Civilian review staff that open and retrieve it...