Another tool to use

Unlike more populated areas, body cameras for local law enforcement may not be high on the priority list. However, Creston Police Department and Union County Sheriff’s Office officials are looking into the purchase of the cameras.

“The police department and sheriff’s department, we’re working together to find what kind we want, what fits our needs the best,” said Creston Police Chief Paul Ver Meer. “We want to get the value for what we’re paying.”

Body cameras are small devices attached to an officer’s lapel or glasses that record video and audio of what is happening where they are.

Body cameras in the United States have become an increasingly hot topic, and in December, U.S. President Barack Obama announced more than $250 million will be given to law enforcement across the country for the purchase of body cameras. Camera costs vary between $400 and $1,000.

Creston Police Department employs 11 officers, and Union County Sheriff’s Department employs six officers. Ver Meer said the ideal would be for every officer to have a camera, but in reality, six would suffice.

“I think we would probably do beta testing with different types and models,” Ver Meer said. “Maybe get one or two of each and have different officers wear them for a while, see which ones they like best, which ones record in higher quality, the eases of use.”

There are between three and four Creston police officers on duty at any time on shifts of eight to nine hours. With six cameras, there would be two spares if one breaks or has a low battery. The cameras are rechargeable and typically last one shift, but battery life depends on if the cameras are on constantly, or just when officers are in contact with the public.

“It’s just another tool for officers to have to prevent complaints, when people know they’re on video, or there’s video of the incident,” Ver Meer said. “They tend to file fewer false complaints, like excessive force or false arrest.”

Ver Meer also said it holds officers to a higher standard as well, since they will also be on the video.

“The officer knows he’s on camera, and hopefully he behaves like he normally would, in a professional manner,” Ver Meer said.

Union County Sheriff Rick Piel also said an advantage would be transparency.

“I think they’ll be great, not only for transparency, but also for evidence in cases,” Piel said. “It’ll help if they (officers) have to go to court.”

Issues with the cameras include right to privacy and open records laws. Those against the use of body cameras argue that the videos could be open to the public and depict situations that some people would want kept private.

“How would you feel if at three in the morning you called a police officer, and I come to your house, and I have my camera on,” Ver Meer said. “We aren’t going to see people at their best. They’re not going to be acting their best. You know, is that public record? Can your neighbor request that video?”

Another drawback to the body cameras is the cost. The cameras themselves have a set cost, but law enforcement departments may also need to purchase software for the cameras, as well as storage for the video.

Currently, local officers have in-car video systems, which record what is happening directly in front of the vehicle, and has audio recording up to 100 yards away.

“They’re always handy (cameras),” Ver Meer said. “OWIs, you get video proof of the vehicle driving. People say stuff, you know, spontaneous utterances when you arrest somebody. ... So, yeah, they’re very beneficial.”

However, making a law enforcement officer’s job safer may not be in the cards for the cameras.

“If a person knows they’re on video, might they act more calmly? Probably. But, is it one of those things where, do you remember to turn the camera on every time you get out of the car?” Ver Meer said. “Is it going to make our job safer? I would say it’s going to be hard to determine. It’s the officer’s responsibility to use proper tactics and make sure that they’re safe.”

In the end, Ver Meer said body cameras are just another tool for officers to use in their day-to-day jobs, something they can use for court documentation or possible safety issues.

“The officers are still going to do their job professionally and with respect to the public we serve,” Ver Meer said. “It’s just another tool that we’ll have.”