They say the donation, from Palestine Champion Chrysler Jeep Dodge CEO Joe Bruner, will happen during the Palestine City Council meeting on Monday evening. The estimated cost of the body cameras and video storage capabilities is $880,000 in 2016 and about $1 million a year beginning in 2017, according to preliminary budget figures.
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“We are concerned with fairness for both the police and any possible citizen involved”. Manney was not wearing a body camera.
“I think it’s important not only for our officers but for our community members”, Snellings said. The cameras will look more like an officer is wearing Google glass instead of chest cameras many other departments choose to wear. “Our department is very grateful to Mr. Bruner and Champion Chrysler Jeep Dodge for this opportunity to expand our program”. But implementing body cameras is complicated. “This will increase the availability of camera use to situations where officers normally would not have them, such as emergencies that occur on the way to or from the office”.
Jamestown’s police officers will soon be wearing body cameras while working out in the field.
Eli Reyes, commander for the police technology unit, said the department will host a forum with residents within a month to discuss issues related to body cameras.
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission would still have to approve the plan.
“We’ll have to purchase the equipment, finalize our policy and procedures with our union, and we have to get our infrastructure put in place”, Snellings said. Frequently, in-car cameras may not tell the whole story. The cameras worn by each officer will be either clipped on their collar or worn as a headband at eye level.
Law enforcement, representatives of the Austin branch of the NAACP and Police Monitor Margo Frazier expressed support for the body cameras program, but suggested the creation of strict policies to protect officers and members of the community equally.
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The public hearing starts at 5:30 p.m.at the Hillside Family Resource Center on Seventh Street.
