After a Dallas area woman falsely accused a DPS trooper of sexual assault, she may face charges for the fake story. The trooper’s body camera helped prove his innocence.
Lubbock officials said this is just one of the many reasons why body cameras are so important. They help document evidence, prosecute cases or even clear officers of complaints.
“If you can see it with their own eyes, that’s the best explanation of a scene that anyone will ever have. They got to see it themselves,” said Captain Joseph Gilliam with Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office.
In Lubbock, these body cameras are recording 24-7, and it’s meant to protect troopers, deputies and you.
“That’s good now for, not only law enforcement, but the community. It provides protection for the community. In case there is some kind of use of excessive force,” said Lieutenant Bryan Witt with the Department of Public Safety.
Law enforcement use body cameras not just to keep officers in check, but also to capture what happens at a crime scene or a simple traffic stop.
“The vehicle camera doesn’t pick up everywhere. It only films in front of the vehicle, so at times, you may not be within camera view, but you have your body camera on,” said Witt.
The footage from the cameras is kept in files depending on what the case is.
“If it’s a misdemeanor, it’s up to two years. If an officer is hurt or injured in a shooting, that’s indefinite. We have to keep all of that evidence forever,” said Captain Gilliam.
The sheriff’s office got these cameras five years ago.
“We have how bad our victim looked, what he or she was feeling, the fear they had that night,” Gilliam said.
Regional troopers received the cameras last month, and they say it’s only been beneficial to them.
“That’s probably the biggest thing. Being away from the vehicle. Having to chase somebody and not having video of what happened during that,” said Lieutenant Witt.
The ultimate purpose of these cameras is to protect victims.
“Whether that be assault victims or even property crime, that’s the goal is to serve our citizens,” said Gilliam.
Related Story: Body camera video refutes rape claim against Texas state trooper
