Most police officers would love to have dashcam footage of incidents, as it can be immensely helpful in determining what happened and who was at fault. However, there are a few caveats.
First, not all dashcams are created equal, and some produce poorer quality footage than others. Second, depending on the jurisdiction, police may not be able to legally obtain footage without a warrant or the owner’s consent.
And third, even when police do have access to dashcam footage, it’s not always clear what happened – things might look one way on camera but be completely different in real life.
So while police officers definitely want dashcam footage when it’s available, it’s not always a cure-all solution.
Can Police Use Dash Cam Footage?
Yes, police can use dash cam footage as evidence in most jurisdictions. However, there are some notable exceptions.
For example, in some states and municipalities, dash cam footage may be considered “public record” and therefore subject to open records laws.
This means that the public (including the media) may request and obtain copies of the footage.
Additionally, there are a few states that have Access to Criminal History Records laws which limit who can obtain copies of dash cam footage (e.g., only people with a legitimate interest).
Most jurisdictions also have laws governing when and how police can view dash cam footage.
For example, some require that an officer notify a supervisor before viewing the footage, while others permit officers to view the footage at their discretion.
And in some cases, police may need a warrant to access dash cam footage.
So while police can generally use dash cam footage as evidence, there are a number of legal restrictions that must be considered.
Also read: Can Police Take Away Your Dash Cam?
Can Police Fine You From Dash Cam Footage?
It depends on the jurisdiction, but in some cases, police can issue a fine based on dash cam footage.
For example, if a police officer witnesses a driver speeding or running a red light, the officer can pull over the driver and issue a ticket. In other cases, however, police may need additional evidence to issue a fine.
For example, if a police officer observes a driver texting while driving, the officer would need to pull the driver over and confirm that they were indeed using their phone before issuing a ticket.
So while dash cam footage can be used as evidence to issue a fine in some cases, it is not always determinative.