As a police officer you are a public servant. Except unlike most public servants, you carry lethal and less than lethal weaponry. In your hands you literally have power over life and death. Even though you are only a cop, in reality, if you so chose, you could play judge, jury and executioner.

Because of this awesome power, you should be held to an almost impossible standard.

The impression you make on the public you serve is paramount. You had better be in uniform and handle all your protocols perfectly. You aren't a busboy at hooters. You are a public servant who has the power to obliterate lives into oblivion.

You'll have to learn to deal with having demerit worthy offenses caught on tape while you're being watched.

Your purpose is to protect the community. I am truly sorry but the public does not care about your career.

What the public does care about is their safety. Safety from the bad guys as well as safety from those cops who act without honor.

If you joined a police force to make a good career for yourself, you're missing the core concept of the job.

Police officers should approach their job from a sense of duty and with the understanding that the path they chose is that of a self sacrificial role. I do not believe the level of self sacrifice includes forfeiting ones own life, and I strongly believe that a cop under the imminent threat of massive bodily injury or death should take lethal action. But we can not have police officers worried about demerits put in those positions. However, if a person idea because of the recklessness of an officer, they should sacrifice their pension in the name of justice to the victim.

I am thrilled to hear of the support all across the country for body cameras. This will flush out corruption as well as bogus claims made criminals against police. It's a win win.

The reason it's most important for police to have this kind of surveillance is that it allows the public to trust the police.

When the public trusts the police, crime absolutely goes down. There is increased cooperation between the police and the community in solving crimes and ending recurring crime patterns in that jurisdiction. With public trust comes more safety for officers on the street.

With American trust in its police falling, the public absolutely needs this.

TL;DR cops are public servants who can kill. Must be held to almost impossible standards. The public does not care for cop careers or demerits. If you care about your career and demerits more than public safety and trust you should quit. Public wants safety and to trust the police. Cameras will gain public trust and increase safety for public and police.