Tulsa World: Trooper cams aren't cheap

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Trooper cams aren't cheap
The Department of Public Safety spends thou- sands on them, but videos are closed to the public.

Department of Public Safety radio maintenance technician Bob Weist demonstrates a WatchGuard dash camera used in Oklahoma Highway Patrol cars. Steve Gooch / The Oklahoman

By PAUL MONIES NewsOK.com
Published: 6/22/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 6/22/2009 3:43 AM

The state Department of Public Safety has spent more than $1.4 million in the past year to outfit its patrol vehicles with state-of-the-art digital video cameras.

But access to footage from those cameras has been closed to the public by the Legislature at the agency's request.

The cameras figured prominently in a recent skirmish between an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper and a paramedic from the Creek Nation ambulance service.

After the latest order of cameras is installed, the Department of Public Safety will have 368 WatchGuard DV-1 cameras in its patrol vehicles, said spokesman Capt. Chris West. Each video system costs more than $4,500.

The cameras are made by WatchGuard Video LLC of Plano, Texas. That company beat out three others last year, according to a review of bid documents. A Kansas vendor, Digital Ally, had a lower bid at $3,895 per camera but didn't meet the agency's specifications.

"It installs easily, and they have some attributes that some other cameras cannot meet," Lt. Col. John Harris, deputy chief and director of the patrol's transportation division, said of the WatchGuard camera. "It's all-digital, which is such a plus with storage. It's an expensive piece of equipment, but you get what you pay for. It's a good product for law enforcement."

How they work

The latest cameras begin recording automatically any time a trooper turns on his front and rear emergency lights, West said. Footage is captured from pursuits, traffic stops and other emergency

situations. Troopers also can manually turn on the camera in other instances — such as helping motorists or traffic control — where only the rear emergency lights are used, West said.

Each of the patrol's 13 field traffic troops has a supervisor who is responsible for the evidence DVDs recorded by the video systems, he said. Other supervisors review the footage periodically for performance evaluations.

"We can't always get out in the field with our troopers to ride with them," West said. "The tapes are also the first thing we go to when we get complaints from citizens."

There was some initial hesitancy among troopers when the agency began using in-car video cameras more than a decade ago.

"It didn't take very long for these troopers to figure out that 99.1 percent of the time, they realize that those cameras vindicate them," West said. "It's normal, regular equipment to them."

Closing access

Footage from DPS video cameras was exempted from the state Open Records Act as part of a package of legislative changes the agency requested in 2005. The changes followed a state district judge's ruling that keeping the footage secret was unlawful.

Even before the Open Records Act exemption, West said it was standard practice of the public safety department to release dash camera footage only when subpoenaed in a court case.

"We got requests all the time from the press for all kinds of things that went on," West said. "We had troopers who did wonderful things, we had troopers who did bad things, we had pursuits and we still got requests. But it was our practice even before '05 not to release them."

Still, citing public interest, the agency released its footage of last month's scuffle between Trooper Daniel Martin and Creek Nation paramedic Maurice White Jr.

West said the only other time he can recall his agency voluntarily releasing video was in the wake of the 2003 killing of Trooper Nikky Green in Cotton County.

"In our opinion, that was night and day," West said of the limited release of footage in that case. "We were trying to catch a cop killer."

Ricky Ray Malone was convicted and sentenced to death in Green's shooting. The state Court of Criminal Appeals later overturned Malone's death sentence.

The public safety department recently denied a request by The Oklahoman to review video footage of a November 2008 incident in Henryetta where a trooper faces a misdemeanor assault and battery charge in the alleged beating of a handcuffed, female suspect. The agency cited a separate open records exemption that prohibits release during a law enforcement investigation.

By the numbers

$1,409,346: amount spent by the state Department of Public Safety on new WatchGuard video cameras in the past year.

$3,621,340: amount spent by the agency on gasoline since July 1.

$671,477: amount the agency has spent on vehicle maintenance (oil, brake pads, etc.) since July 1.

350: Number of troopers patrolling state highways in Oklahoma

96,000: Number of miles of road patrolled by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol every year.

Sources: Department of Public Safety; Department of Central Services

pmonies@opubco.co

By PAUL MONIES NewsOK.com

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "MONDAY: Highway patrol spends more than $1.4 million on state-of-the-art cameras," which was published on 6/21/2009.

	Report Comment Ron Ballew, Lawton (6/21/2009 2:56:42 PM) Sounds like some state departments are not short of money.
	Report Comment oldnorthroad, (6/21/2009 4:50:46 PM) Kind of a shame that taxpayers fork over 4,5000 a unit. That situation between the ambulance and OHP proved they will not release videos willingly. Kind of ridiculous to think the people of this state pay for the technology but are unable to view the contents. Unfortunately, it happens all the time.
	Report Comment okierose, Glenpool (6/21/2009 4:56:38 PM) Where's the popcorn? Let's watch some movies!! Oooooohhhhh, that's right OHP won't release them.
	Report Comment Independent Thinker, Tulsa (6/21/2009 8:00:44 PM) $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I found it interesting that an additional story by the Tulsa World showed that both individuals were idiots. But, only the trooper continues to get kicked around. For example, he is accused of "criminal behavior" but he hasn't been indicted, charged or convicted. Why do we even bother having a judicial system? Just ask the Forum and we'll determine who should be executed. We're so smart and impartial .. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
	Report Comment Webmeister, Tulsa (6/21/2009 8:14:53 PM) At one time, the funding for the OHP came exclusively from Oklahoma Turnpike tolls. Is this still the case?
	Report Comment sirwinston, (6/21/2009 9:25:51 PM) I'm sure when citizens fight back they will start to listen.
	Report Comment What?!?, (6/21/2009 9:51:40 PM) Well, for an example of "criminal behavior", how about the trooper who kicked the handcuffed woman as she was on her knees in Henryetta? Trooper Rowland WAS arrested and charged, and still sits on paid leave, seven months after the assault, and three months after charges were filed. No signs that the video in that case will be released any time soon. I guess if OHP can afford to pay that much for cameras, they can afford to pay him not to come to work. On second thought, that may be money well spent.
	Report Comment Have that, America (6/21/2009 10:04:24 PM) Trooper Martin is a criminal. These video cameras recorded that. He should be brought up on charges, but thanks to the brother inlaw under the table handshake system we got in this state he isn't... what a shame...need to put criminals behind bars...not behind a badge.
	Report Comment Whirled Peas, (6/21/2009 11:09:15 PM) These are so obsolete it isnt even funny. "Tapeless" recording is considered state of the art these days, where video is recorded to inexpensive flash memory and tagged with metadata like vehicle speed and time-stamping to discourage the sort of "editing" OHP is known to do. If the taxpayers are paying that much for yesterday's technology then I would look closely at where the money is going.
	Report Comment ajohnb, Jenks (6/21/2009 11:22:38 PM) $4500.00 for cameras that are available for less than $1200.00 on the open market. Guess they needed the ability to edit the video easier.
	Report Comment okie ridgerunner, Small Country Town State Line (6/22/2009 2:40:25 AM) Shows just how smart they think they are. or how dumb they think we are.
	Report Comment QLC, (6/22/2009 7:48:34 AM) I wouldn't want my work recorded for the public. But then, I am not asking the public to pay for it.
	Report Comment Carl, Henryetta (6/22/2009 7:56:59 AM) Hey Whirled - doesn't the article state that they are all digital?
	Report Comment Eagle 4, Tulsa (6/22/2009 8:04:10 AM) So, one time in the history of these videos a positive outcome was accomplished? That has to be the most expensive video clip in history! And then it was overturned? Proper conduct does not need to be taped. Review and oversight by superiors DOING THEIR JOB would be sufficient to weed out the bad. Ah, the cost of boys and their toys...
	Report Comment Sarge776, Tulsa (6/22/2009 8:10:05 AM) Whirled Peas: To discourage the editing that OHP is known to do. Can you furnish proof as to when that was done or are you just voicing an opinion of what you think is done? This DVD recorders unlike the VHS tape recorders are not able to be edited like you think. The Trooper or the Agency is unable to edit them as they are copywrited. They can be enhanced with scientific equipment, but the Department doesn't even have the equipment to do that. Each time the recording equipment has been used in a trial, the Defense Attorney usually has no other choice but to give up. These tapes, and DVD's have been used to exonerate the Officer, and to make sure he is acting within procedures. I seriously doubt many civilians would want to work under the conditions the Troopers and Officers work under. Until the courts decide on what action to take against Trooper Martin and the Trooper in Okmulgee County, they are both considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If I am still correct in thinking that is the way the Constitution is set up. And if you think the media shows us all everything that is really happening in the world, then you live in a different world. The media only shows us what it wants us to see. Just like in Viet Nam, and now over in Iraq and Afganistan, the news media never shows the good things that happen, only when our military is doing bad things, or making it appear that civilians are innocently killed by our forces and not the bad guys, to make us think that we are either losing the war, or to make sure the American people don't support it. You can thank the liberals for all the bad that happens in this country. The liberal judges, lawyers, legislators, congressmen/women, juries, and the list goes on and on and on.
	Report Comment Graychin, Eucha (6/22/2009 8:28:02 AM) Trooper cams: Expensive! Video of Trooper Martin's outrageous behavior: Priceless! Independent Thinker: What video did you watch? Martin was out of control from the moment that he got out of his car. The EMT was soft-spoken and respectful - until the chokehold. And I second what oldnorthroad said at 4:50. All of the dashcam video should be available to the public. I hope that next year's OK legislature will take time out from their culture wars to correct the law on "privacy" for troopers.
	Report Comment concernedpapa, Kiefer (6/22/2009 8:32:25 AM) Whirled Peas Can you site any instance where you have proof of OHP editing a video?
	Report Comment Carl, Henryetta (6/22/2009 9:10:17 AM) Sarge776: "Each time the recording equipment has been used in a trial, the Defense Attorney usually has no other choice but to give up. These tapes, and DVD's have been used to exonerate the Officer, and to make sure he is acting within procedures." And now that the shoe is on the other foot, hopefully, the video will be effective in REMOVING this out-of-control rogue. It seems as though everyone is happy when the bad guy gets exposed for what he is - just like in this case. Sarge, it SEEMS as though you're suggesting that the whole incident is being presented as though Martin is REALLY a "good guy" but being made to APPEAR as a "bad guy". It's their OWN video. Just like you said, the defense usually just gives up - hopefully the same will play out on this one if it EVER goes to court. Hopefully Col. Guillotte wil SOON announce the correct outcome to this.
	Report Comment Markie Mark, Denver (6/22/2009 9:44:40 AM) To Whirled - I'm not sure that it is your peas that have been whorled. Making assumptions like you do really only remind me of the saying about assume something: "[deleted]/u/me" (They make an [deleted] out of "u" and "me"). To Sarge - what do you mean it is "copywrited" [sic]? The copyright of the video would belong to the State not the manufacturer of the camera. If, on the other hand you're referring to the software used to review and edit the videos, I suspect that most 14 year olds will know how to find and install an application that will edit the digital recording.
	Report Comment LocalBoy, B.A. (6/22/2009 9:55:09 AM) The whole world's watching! The whole world's watching!
	Report Comment tintulsa, Okmulgee (6/22/2009 10:16:38 AM) Sarge: I hate to break it to, but digital video is much easier to manipulate that analog. You don't have to cut and splice manually, all you need is almost any computer and freeware you can download if you don't want to buy higher end editing software. The time and other stamping on the video are easily isolated and/or duplicated while the rest of the video/audio can be edited frame by frame, or in selected portions. Audio is much much easier. Watch the OHP video again, and explain the complete absence of audio at his "hot" stolen car stop, and points later in the video. I mean total absence of sound, no background/white noise at all. Hard to explain without OHP editing, but I'd guess they will claim equipment failure if called on it. State of whose art? If I had the time, I was going to download the video, and dub in some good Barney Phife quotes, but Viacom or whoever holds the copyright for Andy's show wouldn't be happy, and I really don't have the time. Try it yourself, it's almost as easy as posting a comment! Like another poster said, the OHP must have an abundance of funding. What a waste of money.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (6/22/2009 10:47:09 AM) The theory was, these cameras would protect the officer, and the citizens being stopped. That they would be used to prove or disprove statements. Now it seems, the release depends on which statement is being proved or disproved. I don't mind paying for them, if they are used for the original purpose. If officers are aware these videos are apt to be released, it can be beneficial in changing needless aggressive attitudes.
	Report Comment concernedpapa, Kiefer (6/22/2009 11:07:04 AM) tintulsa Another post and run expert. Who inside the OHP in thier right mind would touch this recoring with your tin foot pole? And it is misspelled on purpose. Does Oklahoma lead the nation in conspiracy theory experts?Oh and tintulsa don't bother answering you are joining the rest of the no profile groupies.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, Austin, TX (6/22/2009 11:17:08 AM) They may be expensive, but think of the money it will save from lawsuits. If it is on camera, then the guilty party will not have a leg to stand on.
	Report Comment Carl, Henryetta (6/22/2009 11:39:09 AM) "If it is on camera, then the guilty party will not have a leg to stand on." AMEN!!!

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