Body- and dashcams have been around for quite a few years now. Both have been controversial for almost as long. Most of the controversy seems to stem from exactly when the cameras were–or weren’t–turned on. T.V. news programs always seem to focus on those incidents for which the cameras weren’t started until after the force-related incident ended.
Many times, dashcams don’t capture the action since they were pointed away from the suspect or vehicle or were positioned too far away. For bodycams, the image is often blocked by the gun, which is usually positioned between the lens and suspect. But a new system created by Minneapolis-based Viridian Weapon Technologies has solved both problems.
Some officers might be familiar with Viridian’s weapon-mounted red or green laser sights and/or tac-lights that use their patented “instant on” technology. I have their Reactor R5 laser mounted on my own semi-auto and it’s worked perfectly from the day I bought it. But this is the first time this technology has been adapted to a high-quality, encrypted HD weapon-mounted camera. 
FACT stands for “Fast Access Camera Technology.” The secret to this system is that the HD camera/audio and 500 lumen tac-light self-start as soon as the weapon is drawn. Using a magnetic system that’s compatible with most security holsters, the weapon-mounted 1080-x-1920 pixel HD cameras and tactical lights start the instant the weapon is drawn and turn themselves off when the firearm is holstered. It provides up to 8 hours of video and sound, powered by rechargeable batteries.
You never have to worry about turning the system on. The biggest advantages to the Viridian FACT DUTY System are that it’s always on while your weapon is unholstered and there’s nothing between the muzzle and the suspect. Unlike chest-mounted body cams, where the gun can block the view of the immediate threat, or shoulder/shirt mounted, devices where the lens can shift with the officer’s arm or hand movement, the Viridian FACT Duty HD camera is permanently mounted on the rails of the weapon. Bottom line: The camera will capture exactly what the muzzle is pointed at. There’s no chance of the gun ever blocking the action as in body mounted cameras.
The Viridian FACT DUTY weapon-mounted “instant on” camera system is sent to the agency with factory installed encryption that can’t be manipulated by an individual officer. Downloading can only be accomplished through specific software maintained by a designated agency member. The FACT DUTY System is available only to bona fide law enforcement agencies. Viridian also offers two other cameras that are non-encrypted for civilian use.
CONTACT
Viridian Weapon Technologies, Inc.
(800) 990-9390; Viridianweapontech.com
Call for agency pricing, $500 – $525 per unit.
Interesting idea; however quite flawed in terms of the production model. In order for the camera to catch any usable footage, it will have to pointed at the suspect – which means the firearm will have to be pointed at the suspect.
Training wise, the second Safety Rule reads “Never let your muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.” I can foresee frequent violations of both the spirit and the letter of this rule in order to ensure whatever is going on is captured on the device’s video. The rule doesn’t just apply on the square range, it applies in the real world too.
Additionally, there is well established case law that addresses muzzling community members without cause. I fear this device will lead to circumstances where officers are violating, intentionally or otherwise, case like Baird v. Renbarger (7th Circuit, No. 08-2436, 08/03/2009) or Robinson v. Solano Co (9th Circuit, 99-15225, 02/04/2002). It would be extremely tragic if use of this device led to a repeat of the outcome in Stamps v. Town of Framingham et al (1st Circuit, 15-1141, 02/05/2016) where an officer inexcusably shot and killed a man whose head he was pointing an off-safe firearm at while having his finger on its trigger. By all accounts, the suspect was cooperative and compliant.
Again, interesting idea, very flawed product. Instead, how about working on a way to have the camera activated when we turn on the emergency lights or radio that we are on-scene?
Samuel, it’s my fault that I didn’t emphasize that this weapon-mounted camera would be tremendous as a supplement to body-worn cameras, not a replacement. Your points would be right on the money if we were talking about the FACT camera being used by itself. I heard the same arguments from my command staff the first time we considered weapon-mounted flashlights. They were rightly concerned that Officers would be using the rail-mounted light to look at drivers licenses, etc. However, when we mandated that Officers use their hand-held flashlights for “routine” business and the weapon light only when the firearm needed to be used, problem solved. I should have known from that experience that I needed to make that clear. The tool isn’t flawed, but any tool works best when used for its intended purpose. Having the FACT camera working in concert with a BWC system is the way to go, and that’s the manufacturer’s intent.
So many people are like to use Weapon-Mounted Camera and i also have more eager about this. Its new feature are so effective and i hope it will be so more popular in the future.