Keeping a Video Eye on the Police

In a clear victory for those of us that believe video evidence is the best deterre

nt to bad behavior, a Maryland state court this week dismissed a case against a motorcyclist who used a helmet cam to film a state trooper who ticketed him for speeding. Wrote Judge Emory Pitt,

"Those of us who are public officials and are entrusted with the power of the state are ultimately accountable to the public. When we exercise that power in public fora, we should not expect our actions to be shielded from public observation. 'Sed quis custodiet ipsos cutodes' ("Who watches the watchmen?”)."

Fantastic result and fantastic analysis in a criminal action that could have brought the defendant 16 years in prison for violating Maryland's wiretapping laws!  Indeed, the state trooper and the state's attorney who brought the case are the ones who should be jailed.

P.S.  Do they really need cop cars like this for anything other than feeding their ego?