Real-time GPS tracking: Connectivity to a GPS tracking device is incredibly helpful for enriching your dash cam footage with additional location data. With real-time GPS location data, you can pinpoint the exact location of the dash cam video and retrieve additional video evidence based on location data if needed.

HD video resolution: Resolution (or image quality) depends on how many pixels the dash cam records. High-definition forward-facing dash cams should record video in full HD 1080p, which will make it possible for you to see the road ahead clearly in video recordings and make out numbers on license plates.

Different configurations: Dash cams come in a variety of different configurations. Front-facing dash cams are mounted on the windshield and have one lens that faces the road ahead. Dual-facing dash cams (or dual cameras) have an additional lens that faces inward to capture video within the police cruiser as well.

Dash cam technology has evolved tremendously over the past decade. At first, car video cameras were simple event recorders that captured footage until their storage was full. They required manually retrieving footage from police vehicles and downloading it to a computer. More recently, car video systems became internet-connected, with the ability to auto-upload video footage to the cloud and retrieve additional video evidence via a secure online dashboard. Camera technology itself has improved as well, with high-definition video recorders that optimize for low light conditions.

Audio speaker and recording: Some dash cams include built-in speakers that can play verbal and/or audio alerts when unsafe driving behavior is detected. You may also be able to turn on recording to capture audio during safety events.

Video retrieval: Some dash cam systems offer the ability to request additional video footage from vehicles based on date, time, or location. This can be helpful for retrieving additional video evidence and aiding in investigations.

Samsara AI Dash Cams offer high-end resolution, 30 frame per second capture, and in-cab infrared LED for unlit nighttime video. With both forward-facing and dual-facing options—as well as features like auto-uploaded safety event footage, on-demand video retrieval, and Live Streaming—Samsara AI Dash Cams are a great option for law enforcement agencies looking for an advanced, reliable dash cam solution.

Mounting: The two most popular ways to install dash cams are via a suction cup or adhesive. Some dash cams may also attach to your rear view mirror. Adhesive attachments are generally a more secure option that still offer quick and easy installation.

Night vision: Some dash cams are optimized for capturing footage at night or in low-light conditions. Since police officers work around the clock, it’s important to look for a dash cam with infrared LED, which is particularly important for capturing video footage inside an unlit patrol car at night, if you select a dual-facing camera.

As of 2016, more than 69% of general-purpose law enforcement agencies in the United States had dash cams in their vehicles. In this guide, learn how dash cam technology has evolved—plus get a list of key features to consider when evaluating in-car camera systems for police cars.

While an older model of the TASER may have taken eight AA batteries, Tuttle said the PULSE is powered by two tiny lithium batteries, similar to those found in a camera. TASER was also able to take out the industrial features only law enforcement needs, such as data logs, pulse logging and charge metering, to make the weapon even more compact.

The name TASER has become synonymous for stun gun, despite a variety of other models on the market. Founded 22 years ago in Arizona, the company has always sold to consumers, but the bulk of their sales come from law enforcement agencies, which not only buy TASERs for their officers, but also the company's body cameras.

Another difference is PULSE works for 30 seconds, compared to the five seconds police get. While police may move in for an arrest, the thought process behind the 30-second action is civilians will need time to escape a threat.

"The biggest complaint [from customers] was usually the size," Steve Tuttle, vice president of communications at TASER told ABC News. "People would say, 'I like it but it's more for the nightstand.' While it's a great nightstand device, that doesn't help it when you're out and about."

While it's just a fraction of the size of the bulkier TASERs of the past, the PULSE still packs a similar punch, thanks to internal technological advancements that make the hardware smaller without sacrificing efficiency, Tuttle said.

Field of view: Field of view is how much of the road (or inside of the police car) the dash cam can see. To ensure your police car cameras capture a broad field of view, look for a wide angle or semi-wide angle lens.

— -- Stun gun manufacturer TASER has addressed what the company says is customers' biggest complaint -- size -- with a weapon so small it can fit in a purse or pocket.

Many law enforcement agencies in the United States rely on dash cams (or dashboard cameras) to help with driver training and video evidence. In fact, a United States Department of Justice report found that more than 69% of general-purpose law enforcement agencies in the United States had dash cams in 2016. Today, advancements in camera technology have made police dash cams even more advanced, affordable, and reliable.

"We've made it more efficient at doing what it's supposed to do -- cause a muscle contraction so much you can't do any coordinated action," Tuttle said. "It's causing these special muscle contractions 19 times per second."

Looking to learn more about how Samsara can benefit your government fleet? Get in touch with our team today to learn more or get a free trial.

"When you deploy the weapon, it deploys 20 pieces of confetti that match back to owner of device, so if you're going to use it, you're going to leave 20 to 30 business cards at the scene of the crime." he said.

Internet connectivity: Most dash cams have a micro SD card or memory card that stores footage locally. In addition, advanced fleet dash cam systems can connect to the internet via a high-speed cellular connection, which allows the dash cam to send footage to the cloud. This provides nearly instant access to auto-uploaded footage, and you can access camera footage from a secure dashboard.

TASERs are not considered firearms by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and are legal for civilian use in 45 states, with the exceptions of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Hawaii.

Federal, state, and local governments are responsible police and fire fleet and leveraging fleet management solutions for vehicle telematics data and dash cam footage to provide better law enforcement services to their communities and improved incident respond to the citizens they serve. See how Washington County Sheriff uses technology to improve their operations

Live streaming: Not all in-car camera systems offer live streaming as a feature. Live streaming can be a helpful feature for police agencies that want the option to stream live video and audio from a dash cam to a secure cloud-based dashboard in real time.

There are many different dash cam options available for law enforcement or highway patrol vehicles. Here are a few of the most important features to consider when evaluating different in-car camera solutions:

Unveiled this week at the annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas, the TASER Pulse starts at $399. It's 5.25 inches long, about the same as a smartphone, while it's 4.5-inches tall and slightly more than 1 inch wide. Everything about its look is geared toward consumers.

Tuttle said when users purchase a device, TASER has their information and registers their stun gun to them, ensuring personal accountability for a TASER to be used in the case of self-defense, rather than to commit a crime. In cases of self-defense where a weapon is left behind, Tuttle said TASER will even offer a replacement.