Michigan Firm Hears Ca-Ching in Call for Police Body Cams

After weeks of civil unrest in Ferguson, MO, more police agencies are equipping officers with body cameras. (Photo via Creative Commons)

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Months before the protests in Ferguson, MO, and President Obama’s subsequent call this week for federal funding to equip the nation’s police officers with body cameras, a Michigan company saw increased interest in the devices reflected in its sales.

Pro-Vision Video Systems – a Byron Center company that Inc. magazine named the fastest-growing video system manufacturer in America and listed among the nation’s fastest-growing companies and manufacturers – has seen rapid sales of its BodyCam since introducing the product 18 months ago, sales manager Steve Wagasky told MLive.

“I don’t think Ferguson brought body cams to the attention of law enforcement,” Wagasky said, referring to the August shooting of a black teenager by a white police officer in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson and civil unrest there and across the country after a grand jury declined to indict the officer.

“It brought (the body-worn cameras) to the attention of the public and news media,” Wagasky said.

Obama: Body Cameras Address “Simmering Distrust”

In his first major policy address since the unrest began in Ferguson and cities across the nation, Obama on Monday asked Congress to spend $263 million for body cameras and better training to address “simmering distrust” between minorities and police.

The problem goes beyond Ferguson, the president said.

“This is a problem that is national,” he said. “It is a solvable problem.”

Tell Us:

• Do you think all police officers should be equipped with body-worn cameras?

Some Michigan police agencies are already using body cameras.

Last month, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office said its officers would be outfitted with body-worn cameras, both in conjunction with existing in-car video systems and on a stand-alone basis that accommodates foot, bicycle and mounted patrol.

Fully deploying the technology will cost the county between $300,000 and $400,00 – the body cameras include upgrades to the in-car systems, as well as servers – according to a report from The Ann Arbor News/MLive.

In a news release, Sheriff Jerry Clayton said the value-added documentation provided by body-worn cameras reduces service complaints, improves evidence management, and increases the likelihood of the speedy resolution of investigations and potential adjudication.

Ypsilanti, a city in Washtenaw County, may follow suit, Michigan Radio reports.

“This is actually something we put in the budget, we adopted this June,” City Council member Brian Robb said. “It’s a coincidence with all the news going on. This is something we have been looking into for some time now, and it’s just finally being brought to Council.”

Robb said the timing of Ypsilanti’s decision is fortuitous. With Obama’s request, “we may wait to take advantage of the extra funding,” Robb said.

Related:

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• Watch: Authorities Release Video of Michigan Black Man Questioned for Walking with Hands in Pocket
• Sheriff Blasts Media Coverage of Viral Video of Black Man Stopped with Hands in Pockets

Terry Jungel, executive director of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association, told the Detroit Free Press that body cameras are “a natural evolution from the dash cam.”

“This way, you see what the officer experiences, right or wrong,” Jungel said.

“I think the goal is total transparency. It gives the public a little more (information) on consequences of actions, why we got to where we got. ... I think this levels the playing field in terms of defending your actions,” he said.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which historically has opposed government surveillance, generally supports police body cameras. Michael Steinberg, legal director of the ACLU of Michigan, said that when surveillance allows “public monitoring of the government, we generally regard this as a good thing.”

“Cameras have the potential to be a win-win in that they not only protect the public against police misconduct, they also help protect the police against false accusations of abuse.”

$300 Per Camera vs. $1,500 Per Camera

All that discussion means one thing for Michigan’s ProVision: Ca-ching.

As Obama’s funding request moves ahead, the company would like a chance to help crunch the numbers. The Obama administration estimates 50,000 police officers for $1,500 per camera. ProVision’s cameras sell for $300.

“We could actually outfit 250,000 officers for the same amount of money,” Sam Lehnert, a marketing assistant for the company, told WOOD-TV.