Dallas police department announces budget cuts, restricts dash cam use

[RB TexLa]

Dallas, TX - The Dallas police department released budget cut information today. Most involve minor matters relating to work shifts and supply savings. One of the smallest savings however has caught the attention of many. The department will cut in half the time dash mounted cameras are on in its patrol cars. The restriction is to save money on battery replacement costs for the department's fleet of patrol cars. "The cameras drain the battery particularly when the vehicle is stopped, all that battery usage increases the number of new batteries the department has to purchase," said a spokesperson.

The policy will be administrated by the officers in the cars themselves. They have been asked to turn the cameras off for approximately 40% of their shift. "If an officer forgets to turn the camera off for a shift, they can make up for it by turning the camera off for say the entirety of the next shit," said Police Chief David Kunkle. When asked what the savings would be and if there was the possibility for abuse of the time when officers choose to turn off the cameras the chief said, "It's absurd to think a brave and heroic member of the Dallas police department would ever abuse anything, you have insulted every man and woman in this department. As far as the savings, we will be tracking them, due to battery life we will need at least five years to fully report the actual cost savings."

Dallas Police Association head Glenn White said "This is the best item in the budget cuts, our officers are more than happy and willing to oversee this program and feel that is will be personal enriching and rewarding to each and every one of them."

www.madeuponiontypestory.com

[SoCalNative]

1. How convenient

that they are now allowed to restrict dash cam use after the recent embarrassing incident :P

[jobycom]

2. That's a little off-target, considering Kunkle was highly critical of Powell.

He never in any way defended Powell or tried to blame dash cams.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. You had me thinking this was a true story! LOL Glad it's made up

[ohheckyeah]

4. Your link isn't working

for me

[tammywammy]

13. Because it's made up. n/t

[kestrel91316]

5. I like the name of the link, lol.

[damntexdem]

6. No more dash cams of chasing red-light runners outside hospitals.

But I am in favor of turning it off during the entirety of the next shit. ;-)

[Gman]

7. "It's absurd to think a brave and heroic member of the Dallas police department would ever abuse

anything..." :rofl: This he says about a part of city government that more often than not involves a criminal with a badge.

I'm shocked! Shocked to find gambling! :rofl:

[backscatter712]

8. I remember a few months ago...

There was an incident where some drunk was being uppity after he'd been hauled to the station for a DUI.

Finally, the video showed the officer walking up to the camera, and reaching to turn it off. The next frames show the camera being turned back on, and the perp on the ground in a pool of blood. Of course, the pigs said "He slipped and fell."

Dash cams and other cameras that are monitoring police officers should not have an off switch. At all. And there should be standing orders threatening suspension, termination and possible criminal charges for any officer caught preventing a camera from running.

[peace13]

9. Cameras are only good if they are protecting the officers.

More billy clubs less video equals fewer lawsuits and fuller jails.

[LanternWaste]

12. Same with red-light cameras....

"cameras that are monitoring... should not have an off switch. At all. And there should be standing orders threatening suspension, termination and possible criminal charges..."




Same with red-light cameras....

six of one, half a dozen of the other.

[peace13]

10. Better link? n/t

[dkofos]

11. It's not the dash cam that is sucking the life out of the batteries, it's

the fifty freaking lights you have flashing in my eyes.

Those dash cams keep your officers honest.

LEAVE THEM ON.