lol i know, it was more just an angered comment on how they continue to waste money on something so stupid, yet they need to seek special approval to fund soemthing like this.

Good. Now people won't complain if a cop was just protecting themselves, and crooked cops won't get away as much.

I don't know why anyone would oppose this.

They don't care about our money, they get paid 6 figure salaries while in office, and the best healthcare in the country.  The only thing important to them while in office is ensuring that after they leave office they can get ridiculously cushy and high paying jobs in the private sector, which means bowing to special interests/lobbyists on a consistant basis.  And you're probably aware of this, but, rarely do special interest/lobbyists care about the American people.

I mean, let's face it, a majority of the populace supports legalization.  Congress hasn't even attempted to show the merest glimmer of an interest to change the classification, and it's very well known that such a movie would reduce imprisonment rates dramatically.  If the will of the people were actually of interest to Congress, this would've been pretty high up on the list of things to do in the last few years as public opinion on Marijuana changed, and the abysmal failure of the War on Drugs became more and more apparent to everyone.

While I agree with Cops having cameras, I dont think it should be a federal law or regulation. States and counties should make that call

nailed. everyone else is missing this key point. it doesnt matter, if it is a good law, or not. The feds shouldnt (arent) be able to make such law, its a local decision.

Why announce it? Now people will always shut up when near a cop.

Yea, some counties and cities around me have already begun doing it, and some have decided not too. I am sure after a couple year we will see which way is better and other departments will do what they think is best. I think in the long run cameras will help build confidence in police departments by showing the actual crap they have to go through and by keeping police honest. I have cameras on me at work, why not them?

Cue cameras strangely malfunctioning during each and every mission where investigation of the officers' efforts become necessary.

While I don't think this should mean an automatic guilty verdict for whatever the situation is, I do believe anytime such a thing occurs, there should be extraordinarily severe penalties attached to it, up to and including jail time (Basically have a scale of punishments starting with a fine going all the way to jail time for intentional infractions...like the HIPAA penalties (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act).  The devices can be made to have audible and visible signs for malfunction (both should be employed, so as to have no question about a malfunctioning unit), and should be checked for functionality prior to a shift and after a shift is over.

The footage should also be reviewed weekly with the officer and, maybe someone from IA (internal affairs), as a constant means of improvement.  Those are very high standards to hold police to, however, as servants of the community, I believe they should be held to a far higher standard than most other professions.

It has to be done at the federal level. what state or local politician is going to want to make enemies of there police force? The lack of spine at the state and local level is the reason Police forces are so screwed up now.

Oh, and they are certainly able to make such a law.