CHP Now Has Video Cameras in Patrol Cars
The California Highway Patrol recently purchased 1900 patrol video camera recording devices of their fleet of patrol vehicles. They have been installed in the majority of their patrol vehicles and are currently is use.
The system is the WatchGuard DV-1 digital in-car video system. The CHP’s system is equipped with both front and rear facing video cameras. The officers also wear a remote wireless microphone that captures all audio and is transmitted back to the unit.
The CHP video system activates once the officer turns on his or her emergency lights. The system captures all video footage one minute prior to the activation of the emergency lights. The audio is also activated once the officer turns on the emergency lights. In most cases, you will be able to see the driving of the motorist for at least one mile since most CHP traffic stops occur on the freeways where the speed limit is 65mph.
The presence of these video cameras is significant for California DUI cases.
Many officers tend to exaggerate the “bad driving” pattern of motorists arrested for DUI. We no longer have just the officer's testimony regarding the driving, we have actual video footage to show a jury. This can assist in the defense of your drunk driving case.
In addition to the video footage, all conversations between the officer and motorist are captured in the system. The CHP policy mandates that the audio SHALL remain activated and the activity shall be recorded in their entirety.
