Screenshot via NBC DFW.
Dallas Police officers may type on mobile dashboard computers only in emergency situations, Chief David Brown has told NBC DFW.
Chief Brown gave an interview to the outlet responding to Scott Friedman's investigative reporting on several crashes that were caused because officers were using their MDCs while driving. In four years, there have been 17 such crashes, representing about 1% of all agency crashes.
"We prohibit using the MDC while driving, unless it's to save a life," Chief Brown told NBC. "We're still trying to understand where it's grey. We see it very clearly. It's prohibited, except for emergency situations."
The prohibition on using MDCs isn't specifically spelled out in the Dallas PD's standard operating procedures. Chief Brown cited a city Human Relations policy banning reckless driving.
