Ramsey wants to video record interviews of suspects by Philly police

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey wants to initiate a new policy of recording suspect interviews with video cameras.

While he said he is all for taking video during any interview of a felony suspect, Ramsey said Tuesday the process would take an investment of time and money.

“I think it’s the right thing to do. I did it when I was in Washington, D.C..” he said. “There are many jurisdictions that have this capacity, but it’s more than just setting up a tripod with a video camera on it.”

Ramsey says there is an expense associated with the recording witness statements.

“For the wiring, for the rehabilitating of some of our facilities so that they can handle that equipment training and the like,” he explained. “But it is an investment worth making.”

City Council has asked Ramsey to put together a cost estimate.