[kellyhound]

PERRY TWP. Why did that police cruiser camera start recording?

That’s an unanswered question in the wake of the tape that showed Police Chief Tim Escola kissing and caressing a part-time officer under his command.

An attorney for the former chief suggested the cruiser camera may have been rigged, a claim township officials dispute.

POSSIBLE ANSWERS:

Law Director Charles Hall said Escola or officer Janine England accidentally may have switched the camera system into a “covert mode,” which recorded their behavior June 2 as they drove a burglary suspect back from the Cincinnati area.

Those familiar with the equipment in Perry Township didn’t know the feature existed until Thursday after a review of the owner’s manual, Hall said. The system is less than a year old.

“If you go to turn the device off and hold the power button, the camera goes into covert mode,” Hall said.

In covert mode, the camera continues to record but the display screen and all lighting turns dark, he said.

Escola abruptly retired Tuesday night.
England remains on the force and faces no discipline.

Escola’s attorney, Craig Conley, released a statement Wednesday suggesting the camera may have been tampered with.

“Mr. Escola expects appropriate law-enforcement agencies to investigate and, if merited, criminal charges will be brought against that culprit as well.”

After reviewing the owner’s manual, Hall said he does not believe any member of the Police Department altered the camera.

He said Escola and England used cruiser No. 120, which needed a battery jump-start in the police parking lot before they left.
“No one knew which car they were taking,” Hall said Thursday.

COMPANY: NO TAMPERING

The camera maker, WatchGuard Video, said its DV-1 system can be set up in different ways and is programmed by the purchasing agency.

A password is needed to change its programming, and a WatchGuard spokesman said the camera cannot be tampered with or rigged once the system is activated.

The system activates only when the engine is turned on. It shuts down when the car is turned off.

The Repository got a demonstration of the cruiser camera Thursday.

The digital system turns on seconds after the ignition is started; a small monitor illuminates.

There are two cameras — a front zoom and a wide-angle cabin (or backseat) — which hang from the windshield.

A wire runs over to the monitor, which is attached to the cruiser’s ceiling just above the dashboard.

Besides covert mode, there are several other ways to record activity:

• Push the “record” button below the monitor.

• Activate the emergency lights.

• Turn it on with a small, pagerlike device that officers carry on their duty belts.

WatchGuard Video’s Web site also claims the backseat camera automatically records in total darkness through infrared.

“It’s still not appropriate behavior by the chief of police or an officer under his command,” Hall said.

Big deal, so what. She didn't exactly give him a bj or anything.

[kellyhound]

timeline of events at the Perry Township Police Department:

April 14, 2005: Trustees hire Tim Escola as chief to replace Mark Machan.

April 13, 2009: Janine England hired as part-time officer.

June 2: England and Escola travel together to Cincinnati area where cruiser camera captures them kissing and caressing.

June 24: England and Escola exchange e-mails about an undisclosed concern that made her feel “the life was just sucked out of me.”

“This is not right for either one of us,” he responds.

June 25: Anonymous tip about the pair filed with Law Director Charles Hall.

June 29: Escola announces his intent to retire.

June 30: Trustees accept Escola’s retirement, release cruiser recording.

[Faline]

Still improper behaviour. Considering who they are, there's a suspect in the back..oh and the guy's married

[Lee]

Busted

[Viking64]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

Big deal, so what. She didn't exactly give him a bj or anything.

When she does, make sure you post the video!

[Heresy]

What about Jane England, did she retire?

Or did she set him up? The camera just apparently 'turned on'.

[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by Heresy ↗

What about Jane England, did she retire?

Or did she set him up? The camera just apparently 'turned on'.

Perry Township trustees fired 30-year-old Janine England. She was hired April 13.

Township police Chief Timothy Escola retired June 30 after four years with the department about 50 miles south of Cleveland.

Trustees had received England's letter of resignation earlier Tuesday.

In the letter, England describes her work as exemplary but says leaving would be in the best interest of the department.

[souris]