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| NEWS > 24 December 2006 |
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Pinhole cameras on Tasers popu
Dozens of police departments in the U.S. have outfitted their Tasers with pinhole cameras to capture audio and video that can be helpful if the officer who discharges the weapon is accused of misconduct.
Known as the Taser Cam, the recordings offers a glimpse into police-involved confrontations and can help authorities understand how and why the stun guns are used, said Tom Smith, chairman and co-founder of Taser International Inc.
"It's the most accountable device that's out there," he said. "I think it's a valuable tool for command staff to make sure officers are usin... Read more
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 Article sourced from
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Telegraph.co.uk - United Kingd
24 December 2006
This article appeared in the above title/site.
To view it in its entirity click this link.
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Police limit new powers for PC
Plans to give police community support officers (PCSOs) extra powers have been scaled back after senior officers voiced concerns.
As part of its efforts to reduce street crime, the Home Office had suggested handing PCSOs an additional 39 powers, including the right to search suspects for weapons, seize drugs and confiscate alcohol and tobacco.
In August last year, Charles Clarke, then home secretary, asked police forces in England and Wales, police authorities and unions for their responses to the proposals. Embarrassingly for Mr Clarke's successor, John Reid, many of those consulted informed ministers that they did not believe that PCSOs required a raft of extra powers. The Association of Police Authorities said it was concerned that some of the proposed powers were not appropriate to be given to all PCSOs.
One senior police officer told The Sunday Telegraph: "PCSOs need the power to detain but not much more. The public love them and they are seen as the friendly face of policing. We don't want to give them too many extra powers which will create a second tier of policing. Police officers should be enforcing the law and PCSOs should be helping with community issues and minor disputes."
As a result of the unenthusiastic response, Mr Reid has decided to reduce the proposed list of additional powers for PCSOs. A spokesman for the Home Office said a revised set of proposals was expected to be sent out for consideration early next year.
The first PCSOs began patrolling in 2002. Nicknamed "Blunkett's bobbies" after David Blunkett, who introduced them when home secretary, the PCSOs drew criticism from many rank and file officers who claimed that they were a gimmick.
PCSOs receive only three weeks' training before being sent out on duty and very few are able to make arrests or are even equipped with handcuffs. There are currently 7,000 in service.
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