Hidden Cameras and Law Enforcement

Mini bullet cameras, wireless surveillance cameras, weatherproof cameras and more have long been tools for law enforcement and private investigation. By providing hard, clear evidence of actual occurrences, this makes video surveillance one of the most effect forms of covert security available. The have become so popularized that many people use surveillance cameras for home or private business for everything from checking up on employees, to nanny cams, to shoplifters or public facilities. As the popularity of hidden cameras increased, the legal issues of recording private citizens covertly came into question. Though today there are certainly important guidelines to follow to prevent the misuse of surveillance systems, footage obtained by the use of hidden cameras and wireless surveillance systems is considered perfectly admissible in a United States court of law. From this precedent, the use of video surveillance has flourished and become a common part of commercial, business, and homes security systems.

Before these legal developments however, law enforcement has pushed the surveillance envelope for decades. In fact, it is through this industry that security camera technology really had the funding and ability to advance in quality and cost efficiency. Law enforcement agencies have used video footage as evidence against drug dealers, prostitutes, gang leaders, and other known criminals. The footage serves has hard evidence of the criminal actually committing the crime. As technology continued to improve, cameras become even less detectable and smaller in size, they can be worn by undercover officers and transmit live feeds to the video recorder. This allows for back-up teams to respond quickly to dangerous situations and has saved the lives of many undercover agents. Not only that, but undercover law enforcement can remain undercover because the criminal never has to know who they are. Back-up teams can restrain the suspect and transport them while allowing the undercover cop or agent to escape.

It is also common for law enforcement to have surveillance cameras mounted on the dashboards of patrol or squad cars. These cameras render footage of high speed pursuits, license plates, pull-overs, and more, and serve as an invaluable tool for the location and capture of wanted felons. Surveillance systems can also be found in the back seat many law enforcement vehicles and are most useful for obtaining unsolicited confessions. It is not uncommon for a police officer to place two newly apprehended criminals in the back seat together, where they will most likely talk to each other about the crime to plan their strategy. This often provides extremely valuable evidence in the case against them.

Thought law enforcement and the military paved the way to the development and production of video surveillance systems, they are now considered quite useful for home environments, offices, and commercial properties. And thanks to the increase in technology, they are extremely affordable, simple to install, and easy to operate. Just because the average person is not arresting criminals everyday does not mean they should not have the security of video surveillance.

About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Protection Depot, a leading online supplier of hidden cameras and mini security cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit Protection Depot.