Device called VieVu on 30-day tryout

By Deanne Goodman, KTVZ.COM

It can fit in the palm of a hand, and it can offer a helping hand during police investigations.

"When we use it, we have to advise the people they are being recorded," Crook County sheriff's Sgt. Russ Wright explained Wednesday.

The small recorder captures four hours of video and audio from an officer's perspective, clipping right onto the uniform.

"The VieVu is waterproof and shock-resistant, which is very important for police work," Wright said.

It clips onto the officer's uniform, but deputies can also unclip it and use it to get panoramic views.

The VieVu at the sheriff's office is on a 30-day tryout period.

There are grant funds available to purchase the $700 wearable camcorders. Right now, the department works with $5,000 I-Cop cameras placed in each patrol car.

"With the I-Cop, it's stationary in the vehicle," Wright said. "It does have video, but as for audio, the officer does have a microphone that records up to 1,500 feet but that's just audio."

Seattle police officers, who deal with the same limitations when it comes to collecting evidence, created the VieVu for law enforcement officers.

"We are planning on having these out on the street and using them to the fullest potential," Wright said. "Not only good for the citizen but also the deputy."

The VieVu video can be downloaded onto a computer and CD, to be used in court. According to the VieVu Website, all files are tamper-proof, so no computer editing can take place.

Law enforcement agencies in 20 states already use the VieVu - which we tested Wednesday and proved to indeed be waterproof.

The sheriff's department says there is no timeline on when they will purchase VieVus for every deputy, but they do plan on buying the one they are testing now.