Post by KC on Jan 6, 2007 21:13:29 GMT -5
Wisconsin - They already have them in their squad cars, but now Wisconsin Police are required to have cameras and microphones in their interrogation rooms.
A new Wisconsin law says that all interviews with suspects or witnesses in serious felony cases must be recorded.
Legislators hope adding this equipment will help reduce the likelihood of wrongful convictions.
The Wausau Police Department now has three interview rooms equipped with digital recording equipment.
The cameras and microphones give solid proof of what went on between an officer and the person being interviewed.
"The defendant and his attorney are telling a different story than what the officer is saying occurred in the interview room, so it's nice to now have a recording to show exactly to the judge and jury what happened," says Lieutenant Bill Kolb of the Wausau Police Department.
Besides recording every move of the person being interviewed, the interrogating officer is also under the lens.
"It's a good tool to protect not only the person being interviewed, but to also protect the officer from allegations of misconduct which lead to lawsuits and things of that nature," says Kolb.
Lieutenant Kolb says it always takes a little time to get used to new equipment, but after it becomes second nature, this system is going to make their job easier.
The law was passed in 2005, but it didn't start being mandatory until January first this year.
www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/5109721.html
A new Wisconsin law says that all interviews with suspects or witnesses in serious felony cases must be recorded.
Legislators hope adding this equipment will help reduce the likelihood of wrongful convictions.
The Wausau Police Department now has three interview rooms equipped with digital recording equipment.
The cameras and microphones give solid proof of what went on between an officer and the person being interviewed.
"The defendant and his attorney are telling a different story than what the officer is saying occurred in the interview room, so it's nice to now have a recording to show exactly to the judge and jury what happened," says Lieutenant Bill Kolb of the Wausau Police Department.
Besides recording every move of the person being interviewed, the interrogating officer is also under the lens.
"It's a good tool to protect not only the person being interviewed, but to also protect the officer from allegations of misconduct which lead to lawsuits and things of that nature," says Kolb.
Lieutenant Kolb says it always takes a little time to get used to new equipment, but after it becomes second nature, this system is going to make their job easier.
The law was passed in 2005, but it didn't start being mandatory until January first this year.
www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/5109721.html