Rocky Mount Town Council approves new body cameras for police department

Council members permitted the acquisition of a number of new physique cameras and sprint cams to exchange the out of date digital camera system at present in place. Chief Phillip Younger stated that the system server put in in 2018 has reached the tip of its life and must be changed.

“It is time to improve and replace,” Younger stated of the present system.

The whole price of the brand new cameras, introduced to metropolis council on Monday, was $161,700. Younger acknowledged that the fee was substantial, however stated the brand new system can be helpful if a lawsuit have been filed and officers had no document of the incident.

“A case that does not have that functionality on this day and time might pose a major problem for us,” Younger stated.

Younger stated the price of the digital camera system could possibly be unfold over 5 years with zero p.c financing. As well as, WatchGuard, the seller offering the system, has agreed to delay the primary fee till July, which can carry the fee into the subsequent funds 12 months.

Younger stated the improve would additionally alleviate among the points with the prevailing physique digital camera system. As a result of restricted variety of physique cameras obtainable, some employees members must share it could trigger some cameras to not work correctly or not obtain sufficient battery cost between makes use of.

“We had some cases the place we went again to get the physique digital camera footage or the automobile digital camera footage they usually weren’t correctly activated,” Younger stated.

City Supervisor Robert Wooden stated the police division’s present digital camera system already wants a brand new server that can price $15,000. Add this with the rising prices to repeatedly restore and exchange physique and sprint cameras which can be nearing the tip of their life.

“Both we are able to maintain investing in a system that’s already on the finish of its life, or we are able to go forward and begin a brand new system,” Wooden stated.

There was little dialogue on the proposal earlier than it went to a vote by the council. Members unanimously permitted the acquisition of the cameras.

Younger stated the brand new digital camera system will doubtless go dwell this summer time.

After the assembly, Younger stated, “I’m very grateful to the mayor and metropolis council for realizing how essential this know-how is and for supporting the police drive by making this funding.” stated.