Detroit Police to Test Body Cameras: Should More Washtenaw Cops be Wearing Them?

By Joe Vince and Beth Dalbey

Some Detroit police officers will begin wearing body cameras at the end of this week as part of a pilot program and could possibly lead to cameras being worn by all cops department wide, The Detroit News reports.

Twenty officers will be testing different camera systems for 90 days, the report stated. The department will then present its recommendations on which system to use in June to the city officials, the report added.

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Last year, 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.

If the Detroit City Council signs off on body cams, the department would buy 415 cameras (at $300 to $500 a pop), with 30 cameras going to each precinct, the report stated. But it’s not the expense of the cameras that will hurt the department’s – and the city’s – bottom line.

“The biggest cost wouldn’t be the cameras; it would be the storage of the video,” Detroit Mayor Duggan told the Detroit News.

Tell Us:

• Is it a good idea for Detroit police to be outfitted with body cameras? Would you like to see police wearing the cameras in more Washtenaw County communities?

» Learn more about the program at The Detroit News