An image of the type of camera members of the JPD will soon be wearing. However, JPD officers will have the cameras placed in the area of the left shoulder, and not on front of chest, as shown in photo.
JAMESTOWN, NY – Jamestown’s police officers will soon be wearing body cameras while working out in the field.
That after the Jamestown City Council Monday night approved a resolution to purchase 48 body worn cameras for its police department. The total cost of the purchase – which includes the cameras, cables, docking stations, data storage and related software – is $50,800.
Following the vote, Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings explained why it was important for his department to have the cameras.
“I think it’s important not only for our officers but for our community members,” Snellings said. “It keeps everybody safe and when our officers are involved in incidents, it gives us the opportunity to review it. There’s a lot of potential for training purposes, so it’s a benefit all the way around.”
The Chief also said that while the purchase for the cameras and related equipment will be taking place in the coming days, it still will take at least a couple of months before officers start wearing them out in the field.
“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. “Once all that is taken care of, then the training starts. We’ll train all our officers not only to use the cameras, but also to learn our policy.”
The chief said that he’s confident the police union will agree to a final policy with the city within the next few weeks.
Once the cameras are in use, they will be able to record incidents and encounters by police and that video will then be stored in a secure hard drive for up to 90 days. Officers who wear the cameras will not be able to delete any video that recorded, nor will they be able to access previously recorded footage from their own or any other camera.
Jamestown city councilman Tony Dolce said he thinks it was a wise move for the city to purchase the cameras…
“I think it’s good all the way around. It’s a win-win for the community and it’s a win-win for the officers,” Dolce said. “We’re moving in that direction – protection for the officers as well as for the public. I think it’s just one more tool we can have here where our officers are safe and the community is safe.”
The cameras will be purchased from Linstar, Inc. – a firm that’s also provided the same model of cameras to both the Niagara Falls Police Department and the Westfield Police Department here in Chautauqua County. Funding will come from a $1 million bond the city recently received to help purchase public safety communication equipment.
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