NYPD Recalls Thousands of Body Cameras After One Explodes

The New York Police Department is recalling thousands of body cameras later i of them exploded.

The incident, which occurred on Sabbatum dark, did not cause any injuries, merely revealed a "possible product defect" affecting some Vievu model LE-5 body-worn cameras, according to the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner for Public Information.

"An officer retrieved a trunk-cam for deployment on a midnight bout and noticed there was smoke exiting from the bottom portal and immediately removed information technology," the NYPD wrote in a statement. "Afterward it was safely removed, the device exploded."

A battery issue acquired the camera to outburst into flames, but the exact nature of the trouble is still unclear.

"The cause and scope of the defect are currently existence investigated," the NYPD wrote.

In the wake of the incident, the NYPD has instructed all officers assigned an LE-v torso photographic camera to immediately terminate using it and bring it back to their command. Co-ordinate to Spectrum News NY1, the Vievu model LE-5 accounts for nearly 3,000 of the 15,500 trunk-worn cameras the NYPD has deployed to officers to date.

The problem does not affect older Vievu model LE-4 body-worn cameras, which officers in New York can continue to employ.

By the end of 2022, the NYPD plans to outfit all 22,000 patrol officers with body cameras, according to NY1. This incident may be a setback to that plan.

"Cypher is more of import than the prophylactic of our officers, and equipping the NYPD with the all-time equipment is a paramount priority," the NYPD said.

In a argument to PCMag, Vievu parent company Axon said information technology is "working closely" with the NYPD to investigate and understand the issue.

"Officer safety is of the utmost importance to Axon," the company said. "We will do whatever is necessary to quickly and safely resolve this situation."

Nigh Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo is PCMag'due south proficient on fitness and smart dwelling house products. Teaching yoga for nearly 10 years has helped her in evaluating a range of continued wellness products including fettle trackers, heart rate monitors, rowers, smart scales, stationary bikes, strength preparation machines, treadmills, and more than. Angela also tests smart home devices from her ranch in Florida, including air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums, simply to name a few.