NEWS : 22.7.09 - Victorian police test hi-tech spy force gadgets

[kingpin007]

Victorian police test hi-tech spy force gadgets

Mark Buttler

July 23, 2009 12:00am

TINY video cameras that can secretly record members of the public are being used by Victorian police.

Digital voice recorders have also been tested at an eastern suburbs police division.

Use could be expanded in what senior police say is a move to protect officers.

The Herald Sun believes they have become popular with members of traffic management units in other areas.

Distributors of the Vidmic, which films and records people, say it can shield officers from false allegations and deter aggressive people.

Is this an invasion of privacy or simply keeping police safe? Join the debate in the comments below

Two Victorian officers have bought units and others have expressed interest since they were advertised in this month's Police Association Journal.

Vidmic spokesman Hayden Stafford said he had spoken to Victoria Police about the technology and hoped it would be taken up for all members. The device, which is attached to a police-issue radio, was not something to be feared.

"You're being recorded everywhere you go. I think if people know they're being recorded they'll calm down a bit," he said.

Liberty Victoria president Michael Pearce, SC, said he did not doubt the technology had benefits, but there was also a risk of misuse and abuse.

Mr Pearce said Australia needed a better legal framework to cover privacy-related issues, as had been recommended by the Australian Law Reform Commission.

The Vidmic units are being offered to Police Association members for $900.

Some police in division three of region four, which covers suburbs including Knox, Boronia, Ringwood and Lilydale, have been testing digital voice recorders since last year.

Police Association secretary Sen-Sgt Greg Davies said using the devices should be studied, but buying them should not be left to members.

A police spokesman said: "Victoria Police is always looking for ways to advance policing investigation skills and techniques.

"A number of members use their own equipment for investigation and prosecution purposes. Members are encouraged to use these items responsibly and legally. The use of these items gives Victoria Police a chance to evaluate their success or failure."

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25822078-661,00.html

 

[kingpin007]

WARNING: VIDMIC video/audio recorder

The documented benefits provide for:

* Reduction of frivolous law suits

* Reduced agency liability

* Increased likelihood of successful prosecution

* Reduced court appearance time for officers

* Improved community/media perceptions of Police

* Enhanced Officer safety

* Enhanced officer performance and professionalism

* Simplified incident review and reduced time spent on written reports.

The cops will get these for sure ... better watch what you say and do ...

 

[Doctor War]

Why not just issue them to all police radios without telling the officers?

 

[peaked]

On the flip side, this very technology could be quite useful in deterring cops from abusing their power.

 

[hoptis]

^^^ Exactly, there's obviously two sides to living in a surveillance society. I would think that the police most likely to wear these are the ones who know they have nothing to hide.

 

[fortehlulz]

This will even the playing field. If either side wants to act like a dick, its all on film. Bring it on I say.

 

[hyroller]

Seems reasonable to me...

 

[drug_mentor]

On the flip side, this very technology could be quite useful in deterring cops from abusing their power.

My thoughts exactly. I don't personally have a problem with this because since coppers word holds up better than your average Joe's in court anyway it is going to work more against cops acting inappropriately than anything else.

 

[Crankinit]

Yup, sounds good to me. I'd say the general public benefits from this as much as or more than the police officers, since they're now 100% accountable for their actions.

 

[Sykik]

The assumption that this will be used for good assumes that their isn't some larger force at bay deleteting or 'cannot find the file in question' or the 'file in question is corrupt and cannot be used', when a cop is recorded doing the wrong thing....

best to carry your own recording device as well the fuckers cant get to that.

 

[Iconoclast]

. Regulation of installation, use and maintenance of listening devices

(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person must not knowingly install, use or
maintain a listening device to overhear, record, monitor or listen to a
private conversation to which the person is not a party, without the express
or implied consent of each party to the conversation.

Penalty: In the case of a natural person, level 7 imprisonment (2 years
maximum) or a level 7 fine (240 penalty units maximum) or both;
In the case of a body corporate, 1200 penalty units.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to-

(a) the installation, use or maintenance of a listening device in
accordance with a warrant, emergency authorisation, corresponding
warrant or corresponding emergency authorisation; or

(b) the installation, use or maintenance of a listening device in
accordance with a law of the Commonwealth; or

(c) the use of a listening device by a law enforcement officer to monitor
or record a private conversation to which he or she is not a party if-

(i) at least one party to the conversation consents to the monitoring or
recording; and

(ii) the law enforcement officer is acting in the course of his or her
duty; and

(iii) the law enforcement officer reasonably believes that it is necessary
to monitor or record the conversation for the protectio

 

[phase_dancer]

Interesting, I just asked fortehlulz about a similar topic; audio-video recording by security workers.