Woodstock Police Roll Out Body Cameras For Officers

WOODSTOCK, GA -- As part of ongoing efforts to promote itself as a transparent agency, the Woodstock Police Department said its officers will be equipped with body-worn cameras.

The program's implementation, the agency added, is viewed as a "valuable tool" for both officers and the community.

Woodstock officers will be equipped with a small camera displayed on the outer portion of their uniform to capture audio and visual information acquired in the course of their official duties.

Woodstock police officials reviewed 17 models of body-worn cameras for the following criteria: ease of use by the officers; ease of use by system manager; upload procedure; charging capabilities/battery life; fixed or adjustable lens; and separate camera from DVR or combined component.

After nearly 18 months of research and review, the Woodstock Police Department selected Digital Ally FirstVu HD to provide the service.

The department currently utilizes the Digital Ally In-Car Video System with VuVault Software. The company's body cameras can integrate with the in-car system currently deployed by Woodstock Police Department and it uses the same VuVault Software.

This will aid the department in the initiative, as it will not have to install another video reader and archival system.

To ensure thoughtful and deliberate implementation of the program, a Body-Worn Camera Community Working Group was established. This group, made up of residents, youth, businesses, senior citizens, faith-bathed organizations and key government and service agencies, met on several occasions to provide input and help guide the efforts of this groundbreaking project.

“The intent of the Body-Worn Camera Community Working Group is to ensure that our public is aware that officers will be equipped with the cameras and to solicit input from important points of view in our community," said Woodstock Police Chief Calvin Moss.

The chief added he was grateful to the group for its time, perspective and contributions, which were all critical in implementing the project. These stakeholders will be asked to continue providing valuable input on departmental issues in the future.

Members of this group include:

• Colin Ake, chairman, Greenprints Alliance
• Elington Bates, pastor, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church
• Holly Campolong, director, Cherokee County DFCS
• Pam Carnes, president & CEO, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce
• Dr. James Law, executive pastor, First Baptist Church of Woodstock
• Susan Miller, chief solicitor, city of Woodstock
• Carl Moore, senior pastor, Allen Temple AME Church
• Jessica Moss, solicitor general, State Court of Cherokee County
• Steve & Tonya Riddick, business owners, Freedom Financial Services
• Mark Smith, principal, Woodstock High School
• Perry Tanner, chairman, Woodstock Downtown Development Authority
• Shannon Wallace, Cherokee County district attorney, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit Court
• Dale Walz, chairwoman, Cherokee Triad S.A.L.T.
• David & Nancy Zayas, pastors, Fuente de Vida (FDV) Church
• Chief Calvin Moss
• Assistant Chief Kevin Culpepper
• Capt. Mark Hand
• Harry McGinnis, volunteer grant writer
• Gil Feldman, volunteer grant writer

The department in October received a grant for $60,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs to fully fund the launch of the Body-Worn Camera program.

All officers assigned to patrol duties and 911 call response are outfitted with a body-worn camera.

Image via Woodstock Police Department