Southold Police to Revamp In-Car Digital Recording Systems

was one of the first on Long Island to implement in-car digital video and recording systems in March of 2005. And according to , it’s time for an upgrade to this useful and important aspect of a police officer’s job.

“The technology is better now and a lot more available,” he said.

Last Tuesday, the accepted a bid from Watch Guard Video in the amount of $89,670.00 for supplying In-Car Digital Video Recording Systems for the police department. Chief Flatley said that the equipment is used, first and foremost, to record what goes on in traffic stop and arrest situations, but the resulting footage is also useful as a training tool.

“It’s a great training tool to see what the officers are doing out in the field," he said.

The chief said that the recording equipment activates along with the overhead lights of a patrol car  — one camera over the hood and another into the backseat if there is someone riding in the back.

The recordings also help officers prepare for court cases, and the new technology of the coming digital system is GPS-driven, which will allow for instant documentation of exact locations and speeds on vehicles during stops.

“We don’t have the systems yet, but we hope to get everything going in the beginning of August,” Chief Flatley said.