What Dash Cam Do Police Use? | Find Your Answer!
As technology advances, so do the tools that police have at their disposal. One of these tools is dash cameras, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. But what dash cam do police use? And how do they use it? You will find your answers in the article.
Dash cameras are quite effective at recording events as they occur, and they can be used to capture police or public misconduct.
Mostly, dash cams are used to record traffic stops and other encounters between officers and drivers.
Police say the video from these cameras can be used as evidence in court or to correct inaccurate police reports.
Adding to this dash cam should always be used for the protection of both the officer and the driver. So let’s check out the most used dash cams by the police officer and their features.
What Dash Cam Do Police Use? – The Most Popular Dash Cams Used By Police
Dashcams have been around for several years, but have only recently become a standard in police cruisers across the country.
Dashcams may seem like the latest fad, but the devices have become an integral part of modern policing.
The following list provides a breakdown of the five most popular dash cams used by police.
Garmin Dash Cam 20:
The newest model from Garmin, Dash Cam 20 uses the same 12-megapixel Sony CMOS sensor as the prior model, the Garmin Dash Cam 45.
It will record two minutes of video before and two minutes of video after an event, like an impact. This video is called a pre-event and post-event video.
Garmin Dash Cam 20 has a 140-degree viewing angle. In fact, it records the most footage of any dash cam on this list.
Vico-Opia2 Dash Cam:
The Vico-Opia2 has a Sony Exmor sensor and costs less than $350. Vico-Opia2 has two cameras, so there will be no blind spots. It has a 140-degree viewing angle and records in 1080p at 30 frames per second, plus you will get built-in GPS and G-sensor.
It comes with a 16GB memory card, plus, it is super easy to set up. Moreover, it has a screen display, so the user can know what is being recorded.
Vantrue-Opia2 Dash Cam:
Vantrue-Opia2 is another amazing dashcam. It is easy to operate and also can be set up quickly. It records in 1080p at 30 frames per second and offers a 160-degree viewing angle.
Its amazing feature is its GPS and G-sensor. So through it, the cam can automatically start and stop recording without the need to touch the device.
Finev-Dash Cam:
Finev-Dash has an 8GB memory card and records in 1080p at 30 frames per second. This Dash Cam has built-in GPS and G-sensor. It has a 160-degree viewing angle. Moreover, this cam comes with a 12-month warranty and support.
Viofo-Opia2 Dash Cam:
Viofo-Opia2 is a sleek and tiny dashcam. Its sleek design allows the camera to blend in with the dashboard. It has a small screen on the back that allows you to toggle between the video recording and playback.
It comes with a 16GB memory card and records in 1080p at 30 frames per second. The Opia2 has a discreet 128-degree viewing angle.
5 Reasons Why Police Use Dash Cams
Dash cams are in use by law enforcement agencies around the world. These devices are not just used to record traffic violations, but many police officers now use them as an essential part of their toolkit.
Here we’ll look at 5 reasons why police use dash cams, and how useful they can be.
To aid in evidence gathering:
Dash cams are being used to obtain evidence during traffic stops. The cams are used to record situations that are often disputed between drivers, police officers, and witnesses.
The video recorded by dashcams shows the sequence of events. The police officer can record the facts of the case that is often disputed.
To monitor traffic violations:
These cams are used to monitor traffic violations. It records the road and what is happening on the road. A police officer can review the video from the dashcam to determine if a driver violated the law or not.
To ensure the safety of police officers:
Dash cams are used to protect the safety of police officers. The cam records everything that is going on around the police vehicle which includes the traffic, weather, and emergency vehicles.
It provides a view of the road that is not visible to the police officer which helps ensure the safety of the police officer. The police officer may also use the dashcam to record dangerous situations.
To promote accountability:
Another great reason is that they are used to promote accountability. The police department can use the evidence recorded by the dashcams to determine if the police officer followed the law. It also protects the police officer from attacks by drivers.
To protect the police vehicle and equipment:
At last, the dashcam protects the police vehicle and equipment by recording if the police vehicle or equipment has been damaged.
If a police officer is involved in a collision and the police vehicle is severely damaged, the dashcam can be checked to see what fault the other driver is at.
What are the benefits of dash cams for law enforcement and civilians?
No doubt there exist various benefits of dash cams for law enforcement forces and civilians, as they are the most important and easy-to-use technology. So, some of the benefits are stated:
Easy to Monitor:
The police can monitor what’s happening on the roads and in surrounding areas. Dashcams can detect traffic violations or accidents and they can easily monitor the traffic on the road.
They are very easy to monitor in difficult situations. A dashcam provides a 360-degree view of the front of the car.
No Human Error:
Dashcams can prevent human errors that law enforcement can make, such as forgetting to note some important information about a traffic violation or accident.
Moreover, these cams can record anything and everything that is happening in front of the driver. A dashcam is more reliable than the human eye.
More Detailing:
When a traffic violation or accident is recorded by a dashcam, it will show the activity much more detailed than any police report.
The camera will capture every detail and provide evidence of any dispute or legal action.
A police report provides a description of the incident and oftentimes only a few sentences or even words are written. A dash cam will give a visual picture of what occurred.
Sense of Security for Law Enforcement and Civilians:
One of the most important reasons why dash cams are used by law enforcement and civilians alike is because they provide a sense of security and protection.
Dashcams can be used to protect the wearer and the others who are around them. It is effective in recording any crime that is committed against the wearer. Dashcams can be used as evidence of any criminal activity.
Small and compact:
Dashcams are very small and compact devices. You can easily attach them to the windshield or dashboard of your car or any other vehicle. They do not consume a lot of space inside the car or on the dashboard.
However, dash cams provide superior recording performance and other features that you can only find in larger cameras.
Why should law enforcement agency vehicles consider dash cams?
Law enforcement organizations in the US use dashcams to assist with video evidence collection and driver education.
In 2016, dashcams were used by over 69% of general-purpose police enforcement organizations in the US, according to a Department of Justice report.
Police dash cameras are becoming much more sophisticated, reasonably priced, and trustworthy due to technological advances.
Dash cameras must be a component of the operational support law enforcement officials need to defend their action plan in any given circumstance since they are a crucial instrument for obtaining video evidence and driver training.
The past ten years have seen a significant advancement in dash cam technology.
Hardware today has a network of connected components that combines several cameras and audio recording terminals.
Software optimization produces video files with higher resolution than before while using less-compressing formats, facilitating quicker video file exchange.
What Features are Important in a Police Dashcam?
It is important to install a dashcam inside the vehicle because it can provide you with more security and protection.
A dashcam can be very useful and beneficial because it can record everything that goes on around the vehicle.
The following is a checklist that will assist you in making an informed decision when purchasing dashcam technology for your car or fleet after analyzing the many available options and considering the particular features that security agencies demand from dashcam solutions.
So, here are some other features that should be present in a police dashcam to have the proper advantage of this advanced technology.
Image Quality:
It is vital for a police dashcam to have excellent image quality. It should be able to capture photos and videos in high quality.
Also, it is important to have a clear view of the surroundings from the front cam.
G-Force Sensor:
The must-have feature is the G-force sensor which allows the cam to capture the details of the accident.
GPS:
Police dash cams should have a GPS tracker. It will help in tracing the routes and speed.
You can use GPS to trace the exact location of the vehicle at the time of the accident.
HD video resolution:
A dash cam system’s cameras might not all be able to capture in full HD.
Since they will record much of the activity around your car, the front and rear cams should typically offer the finest image quality.
Since it records objects up close, the internal camera doesn’t require the highest resolution.
Perspective range:
Use wide-angle lenses to photograph larger environments and collect as much detail as possible.
Recording audio:
Ensure that your dash camera system has microphones or is compatible with remote recording terminals that can be used inside and outside the car. It should record audio so you can hear what is happening during the accident.
Simple Interaction:
Look for devices with a simple user interface, and always be prepared to record evidence. It would help if you also considered how easy it is to immediately watch the recorded video in the patrol car.
Loop Recording:
It is necessary for the cam to have loop recording so that you do not need to manually delete the old recordings. It will automatically delete the old recordings to make room for the new ones.
Auto On/Off
The cam should have auto-on/off so it can start filming automatically when you turn on your car and stop when you turn off it when not needed.
Sound Recording
It should record audio such that you can hear what is happening during the accident.
Conclusion
The great purpose of a dashcam is to record evidence in case an accident happens.
This allows you to document everything that happened without having to rely on someone else’s memory.
Dash cams are typically used by police officers and insurance companies, but they can also be used for personal use.
Have you ever had a run-in with the law? What was your experience like? If so, share your story in the comments section below. Thank you very much.
