The newer security cameras have audio capability. I understand that certain conversations with inmates are not acceptable and of course depending on who your supervisors are “cussing” around, to, or at, inmates is “forbidden” in the written policy, I get that. That sort of thing can be used against you for investigation purposes when physical actions and words line up to catch you in “dirty” scenarios, I get it. That’s not my concern cuz I’m not involved in that. My problem is this, people, please be aware that you have constitutionally protected free speech rights even though there is no expectation of privacy except under certain circumstances when it comes to cameras. You can be audio recorded for sure but if I ever find out that any of my supervisors who “we all do talk crap about you guys” to our coworkers and inmates, are using this advantage to write me or anyone up for insubordination, or profanity, or whatever else in PD22 you can think up to write, I’ll be getting a lawyer to sue for freedom of speech violations under the constitution of the United States, that trumps your pd22. Just because you CAN listen to my convo doesn’t mean that because what I said about you makes you mad is grounds for a write up., if people talk about you, there is a reason, change yourself, don’t get angry! TDCJ is going to get in a wreck behind Audio on the cameras cuz some power hungry major or captain is gonna use that against them to nitpick in retaliation of what was said or address the words directly by playing back the video and admitting knowledge of what was said to the employee. These cameras are regulated as an investigative aid to monito real time to catch things or to find out what really happened or didn’t happen (officer didn’t do their job, or a event didn’t really occur like an inmate or officer said it did)
If you supervisors want to lose more staff and oppress their freedom of speech rights, which they don’t lose just cuz they walk in the door, I advise you to be aware of what legal troubles you’re gonna be up against with staff. If you think free speech should be abridged, you need to move somewhere that having an opinion and expressing that opinion is illegal.
Re: Know your rights.
Posted by Peace33 on June 13, 2022, 11:31 pm, in reply to "Know your rights."
Back in the day it was much more cut and dry. You messed up you got cussed out you have a problem with someone its taken care of in the parking lot. Officers got to make decisions and deal with the inmates and not have some supervisor under mind you and let the inmate make it. People actually had each other's back. There are a lot of gray areas in this kind of work. Any decisions one makes ride your own heat don't pull others in to a sh*t storm you create. Snitches get stitches. You got officers running around telling everything they can on folks when they're off their duty post to do it or do some more F ed up stuff than they are snitches on. Then you got Male female and other sleeping with staff you just compromised yourself. Seen it happen from region directors to sgts. 35+ years and retired. Well boys girls and in between lesson over. I'm going back under my rock drink a cold one and say a prayer for all staff. PS Be safe and have each other's back.
Re: Know your rights.
Posted by IHaveRights on June 13, 2022, 4:36 pm, in reply to "Know your rights."
I was not referring to discussion an opinion about a supervisor with an inmate. It’s inevitable that discussions like that will occur around inmates and be caught on camera.
Federal law states that cameras with audio cannot be installed inside break rooms. The ODR is a break room and it has a camera installed.
If you don’t want staff talking with other staff about you around eachother or inmates, do better and be better. These cameras are there to save your job if you’re doing right but are there to protect the inmates and not the officers. And TDC wonders why they can’t keep people. Sure dishonest people are going to come through but with or without the cameras things will happen.
My point was that talking crap about your supervisors and them using it against you is a violation of free speech since you’re allowed to have an opinion.
Ok so the body cam can’t be used to record your supervisors talking bad to you. That’s fine, policy says another supervisor is to be present when an employee is addressed. If you’re going to be degrading and demeaning to me and I can’t talk bad about you in front of a camera that you get to listen to, it’s unfair that video footage of you talking bad to me can’t be recorded either. If you’re gonna call Another supervisor as a witness, it needs to be a supervisor who is neutral and will back us both, not just back you up cuz you’re both pieces of crap.
Re: Know your rights.
Posted by Really on June 12, 2022, 6:39 am, in reply to "Know your rights."
Or maybe you can make better decisions and not get in trouble. By the way if you are talking crap to an inmate about any employee you deserve to be written up because you have either become to comfortable or established an inappropriate relationship.
Re: Know your rights.
Posted by Gonnawhineafew on June 11, 2022, 10:01 pm, in reply to "Know your rights."
You don't activate the body worn cameras unless a use of force has occurred or is likely to occur. Then the camera is given to the supervisor for download. It literally states that in the behavioral intervention plan. My suggestion is to stop hyping people up with misinformation.