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Friendswood Police Department, CA

May 2010 – The Friendswood police department received grant funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Stimulus to fund the purchase and installation of an in-car digital video system in 24 of the City's marked patrol fleet and deploy 56 PUMA-II digital recorders and the file management system.

Friendswood Police Department will replace their analog voice recorders that officers carry on their person and their in-car analog video tape system used in police patrol vehicles. The new PUMA audio recorders and the In-car video system will increase officer accountability, increase our conviction rates, reduce our liability in civil actions and provide the most effective, cost-efficient means to protect our officers and secure tamperproof evidence.

PUMA Digital Recorders and the In-car Video system will be utilizes to record citizen contacts, field investigations and DWI enforcement stops to support criminal prosecutions and to answer questions relating to citizen complaints. Many complaints originate from traffic stops or field interviews, situations when a PUMA Recorders and in-car video system would normally be utilized. In many cases, these contacts involve only the officer and the involved party. These safeguards can afford an officer with insulation against frivolous complaints and be a valuable tool for management to use to address performance issues and training needs while monitoring overall quality of the service delivered.

In addition, the department has found these recordings to be especially helpful in answering citizen complaints. Police officials believe it is extremely important to address citizen complaints forthrightly especially in circumstances where abuse, official oppression, racial profiling and excessive force may be alleged.

Friendswood Police Department also expect to be able to better support local prosecutors with enhanced documentary evidence in cases ranging from traffic violations to felony prosecutions.
 

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