In keeping with the current state of law enforcement around the U.S., officers with the Houston Police Department will wear equipment that will provide video documentation of their work.
The Houston City Council last week approved the purchase of three body cameras for use by the HPD officers.
“This is the direction law enforcement is going now,” said HPD Chief Jim McNiell. “It’s kind of a sign of the times, but it will be very helpful to be able to record evidence – both for the protection of our officers and the public.
“Obviously, there have been some major instances lately where it would have been good to have had video evidence to help decide exactly what occurred.”
The “FirstVu HD” model body cameras purchased by Houston are made by Digital Ally, of Lenexa, Kan. McNiell said they cost $795 apiece. A two-year parts and labor warranty against manufacturer’s defects was also purchased for each unit for an additional $195 apiece.
The tiny cameras attached to the user’s pocket and are equipped with a rechargeable battery that goes inside the pocket. Each unit can record at least 300 minutes of video and audio and has a 130-degree range of vision.
“I was wearing one when I was talking to the city council and nobody noticed,” McNiell said. “People aren’t aware of it, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to go with this model of camera.”
McNiell said HPD officers will begin using the cameras in mid-February. The equipment will be turned on every time contact is made with the public.
“Our officers will activate their cameras whenever they get out of their cars,” McNiell said.
Houston City Administrator Larry Sutton said the council will review the body camera situation in a year and determine then if the technology is sufficient or updated models should be purchased. As part of the council’s approval, members asked for a weekly audit of video and a personnel policy that includes penalties should an officer not activate his camera video during a contact.
McNiell said his officers weren’t keen on the idea of having the body camera policy implemented.
“But they know the times we’re in have necessitated getting them,” he said. “Officers want to be trusted –– they’re not out there to conceal anything, they write well-documented reports and they feel like their word should be good enough. But at the same time, video evidence will go along way to support what they report.
“As a police chief, I’m confident of the work my guys do, and I have no reason to believe they’re doing anything they shouldn’t be doing. At the same time, a supervisor can look at video and maybe give a coaching tip or suggestion to improve an officer. Even if he didn’t do anything wrong, there might be a little bit better way to do something.
“But we really didn’t have a choice –– the council was adamant that we were going to wear cameras. There were no ifs ands or buts. They want them on us.”
The cameras selected by Houston are smaller and more expensive than others available.
“They’ve been around for about two years with only a small modification involving the cord that goes to the battery,” McNiell said, “and there haven’t been any issues with them.”
The Licking Police Department has used in-car cameras for several years, and adopted use of body cameras at the beginning of 2014. The HPD began using in-car cameras early last year.
Houston officers will download recorded video at the end of each shift that will be stored on a dedicated hard drive.
“I think this is a plus for our department,” McNiell said. “Seeing is believing – when you see something, what you’re seeing is factual. It’s indisputable evidence.”
Seeing is believing – when you see something, what you’re seeing is factual. It’s indisputable evidence.”