The Daily Beast is reporting that The New York Police Department had to pull 2,990 body cams off officers after one began smoking. The officer wearing the defective device was able to take it off before it exploded. All LE-5 body cams have been removed.
The NYPD said in a statement:
"The NYPD has become aware of a possible product defect with some Vievu model LE-5 body-worn cameras. Out of an abundance of caution, the Police Commissioner has directed that the continued use and distribution of the LE-5 model cameras be suspended effective immediately.
Last night, an officer retrieved a body-cam for deployment on a midnight tour and noticed there was smoke exiting from the bottom portal and immediately removed it. After it was safely removed, the device exploded. There were no injuries sustained. The incident revealed a potential for the battery inside the camera to ignite. The cause and scope of the defect are currently being investigated.is pulling thousands of body cameras from the field after one of them caught on fire while a police officer was wearing it."
More than 15,000 officers wear a different model, the Vievu model LE-4, and will continue to use those. There is no word when the other officers will be outfitted with new equipment.
A vast majority of folks aren't buying the excuse to get rid of so many body cams.
@CNN This is dangerous and frightening! They can & will take advantage of this situation 😔 I'm praying for those… https://t.co/6cC6SHgw62— Eden (@Eden) 1540194938.0
@CNN I call bullshit.— Alicia MF Sixtos 💖💛💙 (@Alicia MF Sixtos 💖💛💙) 1540195568.0
@CNN @CNN investigate this. Feels like a lie. Where is device that exploded? Why did it explode? What extent offi… https://t.co/5TcX8O0SLr— Demetrius Leach (@Demetrius Leach) 1540192309.0
@CNN This is just plain nonsense that will be swallowed by gullible people. Body cameras must be MANDATORY. If ca… https://t.co/6vuZa59JBd— MagooAnon (I) ⏳😷🍀 (@MagooAnon (I) ⏳😷🍀) 1540215693.0
@CNN Body count needed this week in NYC, how many “problems” will “resist” now that nothing can be recorded? “The 1… https://t.co/ATk2Us0S4X— KillswitchKitty13 (@KillswitchKitty13) 1540193895.0
@CNN https://t.co/gWfu9DLlbi— ANGEL (@ANGEL) 1540202716.0
There is a whole lot of suspicion out there.
@CNN Sure....— g~la (@g~la) 1540191727.0
@CNN https://t.co/53dySaGOni— Vanessa (@Vanessa) 1540192188.0
@CNN well...isn't that convenient! (jk)— sancho (@sancho ) 1540191540.0