• Experts: Video Evidence Does Not Tell The Whole Story, Cautioned Rushed Judgement On Use Of Force
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[quote]ATLANTIC CITY — Surveillance technicians followed an underage drinker's interaction with police outside Tropicana Casino and Resort this summer, and the video they recorded likely will be key evidence in a lawsuit that could spend years in the courts. That video already has led to calls for increased scrutiny of Atlantic City's Police Department. Civil rights and law-enforcement experts, however, say there are limitations to visual evidence, and many other factors — which could be explored if the case goes to trial — can contribute to incidents of excessive force. ... "The availability of video is a good accountability tool," he said. "It protects police against allegations that are unfounded, and it protects citizens against misconduct." Video isn't always available, of course. Not every incident takes place under the gaze of security cameras. Equipped police vehicles may not be parked in full view of an arrest. In some cases, officers prevent passersby from recording arrests. And, even if the video exists, not all plaintiffs have the resources or knowledge to acquire it. ... Stangler, who has practiced law for more than 30 years, said visual evidence provides juries a "clear record" of the incident and limits the number of potential interpretations. That quality of video eliminates some of the "he said, she said" problems associated with civil-rights cases, Shalom said. "No matter what happened, the police can't say, for instance, that the defendant pulled a gun," he said. "We can see what happened." [/quote] [url]http://www.policeone.com/investigations/articles/6503651-LE-experts-Video-evidence-helps-doesnt-tell-whole-story/[/url]
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