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LAPD Cops Disable Body Cameras
Earlier this year, a little-known town in Missouri became the top scene around the whole country. Violent riots broke out between protesters and police after the shooting death of teenager, Michael Brown. Ever since then, there has been much debate about police militarization, and how they get their hands on military grade weapons. One of the key takeaways from the whole conversation revolves around sage advice Uncle Ben offered to Peter Parker in Spiderman. With great power, comes great responsibility. Liberty advocates also believe great power should be coupled with great accountability.
Police in Ferguson started wearing body cameras soon after the riots broke out. Once police and protesters both knew they were under the watchful eye of the cameras, tensions relaxed. Several cases of police brutality have surfaced in recent months. Without key video evidence from witnesses nearby, those victims might be behind bars today.
In Florida, pastor Anthony Walker was facing felony charges, until video evidence forced police to drop those accusations. In New York, video evidence turned the tide in the illegal chokehold takedown case with Eric Garner, the man who died in a police homicide. And in California, State Highway Patrol officer Daniel Andrew is out of a job after video proof showed him repeatedly punching Marlene Pinnock in the face on the side of the road. The state paid her one and a half million dollars for damages, a benefit she never would have seen without video evidence.
Meanwhile, a new report from the Mint Press says police in Los Angeles are unhappy about the cameras on their squad cars, and some of them are taking matters into their own hands. Recently retired police commander Sid Heal says “No one likes to be monitored.” According to the LA Times, surveillance equipment in some 80-something squad cars have been manually disabled.
This disturbing news raises the obvious question: Why would an officer intentionally disable a surveillance monitor that is supposed to protect them? What happened after they turned that off? How could their intentions be justified after knowingly dodging any shred of accountability? Residents living in the City of Angels better hope their police don’t have any inner demons.
