NCJ Number
110268
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1988) Pages: 44-48
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the experiences of four Arizona police departments in producing in-house videotapes.
Abstract
The experiences of the Mesa, Tempe and Paradise Valley Police Departments, and the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office in videotape production and application are discussed. Mesa, with 361 officers, used 2 studios to produce some 270 videotapes in three quarter-inch Betacam format, including 100 training tapes. Shorts for roll call training and occasional 6-hour seminars have been produced. Advantages of in-house production of videotapes are the ability to conform to individual local laws and department policies, and to record interviews with child abuse victims and preserve them for later playback. Tempe's 220-officer police department uses videotapes for communication and training in the side handle baton, shooting techniques, and the use of the 'Slim Jim.' One unusual application is the Major Offender File -- videotapes of persons arrested for major offenses reading the Miranda rights when the subject is first admitted. Paradise Valley, a small agency with 24 sworn officers, has limited facilities, but videotapes guest speakers giving in-service training. The 400 deputy Maricopa Sheriffs Office has produced several categories of tapes including training, internal communications, crime prevention, safety, public relations, and evidence. Photographs.