Huangpu District police have decided to equip every traffic police officer in the district with a digital recorder they must carry on the beat to tape them every time they issue a traffic ticket.

District police officials said the audio recorders have been used on a trail basis with several officers for some time and the results have been impressive enough to expand the program.

Officers say the small device, which they call "the third eye," will better protect their rights in processing traffic infractions.

"Traffic police officers are required to be more strict in catching up with and punishing traffic violators," said a district police official, surnamed Li. "Accordingly, they need a reliable witness to protect them if a violator accuses them of misuse of power or raises other disputes."

Traffic infractions are usually handled by a single officer with the violators on the street.

Without the help of a reliable third-party witness, it's difficult for the police supervision department to get to the truth when a violation-related dispute arises between the police and those fined or warned, Li said.

"The pen recorder also pushes the officers to perform at a high standard on the beat such as talking in standard Mandarin as required by the professional code," said police officer surnamed Tong.

Six traffic officers in the district were beaten by violent violators in August, and police say witnesses to such incidents are usually difficult to track down.