Cameras bring new focus to Dixie Inn Police Department

The long arm of the Dixie Inn law just got a little longer with the addition of two Scorpion  Micro DV cameras.
With one clipped to his shirt pocket, Dixie Inn Police Chief James Edwards said he now has a lot more freedom when confronted with an investigation.

“These cameras come in handy with anything that happens that takes us away from our car cameras,” Edwards said. “If we go into a store where there’s been a shoplifter or a home when there’s been a robbery or domestic dispute, we are able to interview witnesses or get confessions and it’s all caught on tape.”

Edwards said he learned about the cameras from a police chief in Center, Texas.

“He said he couldn’t find anything bad about these cameras,” Edwards said. “He was so impressed with them, he ordered 20.”

For the time being, Edwards’ department, which consists of two full-time officers (including himself), one reserve officer and one part-time officer, can make do with two. If they work out well, they will order two more.

Edwards said the audio and video are sharp on the small cameras, and recording time is up to six hours.

“These cameras normally come with two gigabytes of memory, but for a little extra money, we got eight gigs,” he said. “Since they don’t run constantly, we can use them for several days or even a couple of weeks without running down the battery.”

The cameras are powered off a built-in battery that is rechargeable from a wall socket or through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port when downloading to a computer. Once the recording is downloaded, it can be burned to a Digital Video Disc (DVD) and, if needed, is admissible in court.

The new cameras were purchased last week, and Edwards said he has already used his in an investigation over the weekend.

“I was on a case where I had to interview family members and witnesses, and it worked out real well,” he said. “But I continue to take physical notes, just to make sure I don’t miss anything.”

Edwards said the cameras cost $150 each, which includes the eight gigabytes of memory.

“We have an equipment budget, and that’s where the money comes from,” he said.

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