New York City Police To Test Cop Cams In Pilot Program

New York City police will begin testing sixty body mounted cameras made by Taser International Inc.

and privately held Vievu, officials said Thursday. Taser gained 6 percent in early trading Friday to $18.62 a share. Digital Ally

slipped nearly 8 percent to $24.06. Use of the cameras in New York City was mandated in part of 2013 court order that sought to rein in the city's so-called stop and frisk policy on the grounds that it violated constitutional protections against unreasonable searches. U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin required the camera's use in a pilot program to involve at least one police precinct in each of the city's five boroughs. New York City's is the nation's largest police force, with 34,000 officers and a budget of about $4.6 billion. "It's the next wave," Commissioner William J. Bratton said of the cameras at a news conference Thursday. Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Taser on Thursday announced multiple contracts for its so-called smart weapons, but hasn't released information about its camera business in New York. Vievu, Seattle, was founded by former Taser marketing vice president Steven Ward and the six-year-old company claims to have an "80 percent share of the law enforcement body worn video market." Funding sources for Vievu couldn't immediately be learned, although last year the company sought to raise $100,000 on the crowdfunding site indiegogo, but came up with only $16,349. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/vievu So called cop-cam makers have been on a roll since civil disturbances in Ferguson, Mo increased calls for their use. Taser shares are up nearly 60 percent in the past month; Digital Ally slipped Friday, but is up 540 percent in the past month. e Axon FLEX, made by Taser; and the LE3 made by Vievu and which used by the LAPD The city will