NCJ Number
52765
Journal
International Criminal Police Review Volume: 33 Issue: 321 Dated: (OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 222-231
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE 'VIDEOCORDER', A SOUNDTRACKED VIDEO TAPE SYSTEM MOUNTED IN THE PATROL CARS OF TRAFFIC POLICE IN FRANKFURT (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY) FOR RECORDING VIOLATIONS, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE VIDEOCORDER SYSTEM CONSISTS OF A MULTILENS, BATTERY-POWERED TELEVISION CAMERA WITH A CONDENSOR-MICROPHONE CONNECTED BY CABLE TO A VIDEOTAPING MACHINE. THE TAPE IT PRODUCES CAN BE VIEWED ON ANY TYPE OF COMMERCIALLY-AVAILABLE TELEVISION SET. THE FRANKFURT HIGHWAY PATROL UNIT USES THE EQUIPMENT IN AN UNMARKED VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATIONWAGON. THE CAMERA IS MOUNTED ON A STAND EQUIPPED WITH SHOCK ABSORBERS, AND THE CAMERA CAN BE RAISED AND LOWERED AND AIMED IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VIDEOTAPE PATROLS ARE CONDUCTED BY TWO PLAINSCLOTHES OFFICERS; THE NONDRIVER VIEWS THE MONITOR AND OPERATES THE CAMERA IF A TRAFFIC VIOLATION IS SPOTTED. THE CAMERA TAKES A PICTURE OF THE VIOLATION BEING COMMITTED, AND THE MAGNETIC TAPE CAN BE REPLAYED AS OFTEN AS NEEDED AND CAN BE USED AS COURT EVIDENCE IF A DRIVER DECIDES TO CONTEST THE VIOLATION. EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO IMPROVE THE SOUNDTRACK OF THE FILM, AND SUBSTITUTION OF CASSETTE TAPE FOR REEL TAPE IS BEING CONSIDERED. (DAG)