Sarcasm aside, the fact that the images recorded by the Battalion Chief were made public is a genuine concern. A concern that can be easily addressed by a mix of guidelines and sanctions. Banning such devices, regularly used by law enforcement professionals worldwide, appears to be exactly what it is: a desire to get rid of a modern and useful forensic tool, that can occasionally bring to light shortcomings, all thinly disguised under the veil of respect for privacy. In short, pure hypocrisy.
An excellent response A.
One point ... I do not believe a public employee has (or should have) any reasonable expectation of privacy in the process of performing the work they are employed to do - which eliminates her concern there.
Numerous departments across the country have found that implementing video has significantly reduced exposure overall to claims. Far more often the existence of video disproves claims of damages.
As A. notes privacy concerns can be addressed with simple rules and policy.
The Chief could and should have said the video had been instrumental in identifying serious concerns and that the department was making them mandatory and that their use would be expanded. Which would give the department control over the video as well.