Police commanders in Atlanta are getting a new tool that will enable them to check every move their officers make.
Supervisors believe the new equipment will increase productivity and decrease confrontations with the public.
Vehicles will come equipped with internal video surveillance, a camera and a microphone as well as enhanced GPS.
"It will help us with calls for service. When they're answering a call, we'll be able to tell how long it took to get to the call. We'll be able to see what time they actually arrive on the call. We will be able to see video from the call," said Major Joe Spillane
Police watchdog group CopWatch, which videotapes encounters police has with citizens, said it's skeptical of the program. The group has received a settlement after the video was deleted by police.
"We have seen that police officers are willing to seize cameras of civilians, delete footage, and so I think we have to ask if the police are willing to seize and destroy our footage, why would they behave any differently with cameras that they control," said Marlon Kautz of CopWatch.
Spillane said the equipment is intended for more than just confrontations between officers and citizens. He pointed out that the camera can show authorities where an officer is at during an emergency. He also said that the technology can be used to improve neighborhood patrols.
The program should be up and running about 90 days.
The Atlanta Police Department is modeling its new system after the police department in Marietta, which already has the equipment in all of its cars.
Attorney Dan Grossman, who has handled several cases involving Atlanta police, said he thinks the system is a step in the right direction.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:10:59 GMT
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport.
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport. FOX 5's Chris Shaw captured cell phone video inside the smashed bus at the scene of the crash.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:14 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:14:44 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times outside their Sandy Springs apartment in 2011.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:52:10 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:40 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:40:32 GMT
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:38 GMT
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans.
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans. Tyler Head was injured in a high school wrestling tournament in December, and getting back and forth to therapy is a vital to his recovery.
