Montgomery Police Department Unveils Body Cams for Officers
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The Montgomery Police Department announces body cameras for officers.
“This is our 72 degree field of view lens… But in order to record, the officer will have to flip the switch.”
Montgomery Police Officer Gina Fennoy demonstrates how the new body cameras will be work.
Three hundred officers from traffic and patrol to special units will go through training and receive a body camera.
Mayor Todd Strange says it’s something that will be invaluable to the department.
“When you look at the camera system we have in our cars and getting the true story versus what the citizens talk about, that’s where it’s worth it’s weight in gold,” said Strange.
The cameras will be able to hold 8 hours of video. Officers, at the end of their shifts, will load the video to a server where it will stay for 60 days.
Chief Ernest Finely says the information will help hold everyone accountable.
“Each and every time we have a positive or negative encounter with the community, we’re going to have that historic information to kind of help us and help the community as far as being transparent. So I think this is just added security for everybody to make sure we do the right thing each and every day,” said Finley.
The cameras cost $150 thousand. The funding came from private donors, seized money, and the mayor’s office.
