Canton Police Exploring Body Cameras For Officers

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Officers with the Canton Police Department could soon have another tool under -- or above -- their belts to better serve the community.

Last week, the agency introduced a proposal to the Canton City Council to use money in its budget to purchase body cameras for the police force.

The department is looking at possibly purchasing 30 cameras, which would be given to officers in its patrol, traffic, parking and code enforcement units, said Chief Mark Mitchell.

Mitchell added the agency is field testing a product from a company called WatchGuard. If they are satisfied with their product, they would move forward with the purchase, which Mitchell said would cost about $45,000.

That would have to be approved by the City Council, however. The Council is set to consider approval of the request at its July 16 meeting.

Chief Mark Mitchell said the purchase would also include the use of a standalone server, which would be housed at Police Department headquarters, for data storage.

Mitchell stated he hopes to have the cameras purchased and in place for use by the start of the city’s fiscal year, which is Oct. 1.

Mitchell added the move would aid in the department’s desire to strengthen police accountability, improve officer professionalism and prevent confrontational situations, improve transparency and identify and correct any problems inside the agency.

“This provides a very accurate record of events,” he said. “If any complaints come in, we can look at them quickly and efficiently.”

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