As a former Vancouver resident, I applaud the Vancouver Police Department’s effort to “push for transparency” by rolling out body cameras for their personnel. However I question a statement that was included in the article (“Vancouver police to roll out body cams starting Monday,” The Columbian, Feb. 17).
As noted: “The cameras automatically turn on when the vehicle’s overhead light is activated, and the same goes for the body cameras when an officer removes their weapon from their holster.” Perhaps I’m alone in believing more transparency would be provided if the cameras would activate as the officer first steps out of their car. What is captured if the officer is fired upon before they have a chance to remove their weapon from the holster? If the officer believes there is just cause to remove their weapon from their holster, would it not be in the best interest of everyone involved to have proof of what precipitated the stop?
