Galt police officers, vehicles to be equipped with cameras
GALT — The Galt Police Department is one of the last law enforcement agencies in the Central Valley region to employ body cameras, and last week, the Galt City Council unanimously approved a contract with a technology company to equip officers with them.
During a presentation to the council at its April 20 meeting, interim police chief Brian Kalinowski said body-worn cameras will contribute to improving police practices, build community trust and legitimacy, allow for the review of critical incidents and identify any training gaps, and provide the opportunity for de-escalation during incidents.
“The use of body-worn cameras in different studies that have been done have shown to reduce the number of complaints received, and the uses of force needed,” Kalinowski said. “There is a reduction in time to review potential complaints because we (would) have video to review different activities that occur, which we currently don’t have the benefit of having.”
The council’s vote approved a fiveyear contract with Axon Enterprises, Inc. for body-worn and in-vehicle cameras for $496,000.
Funding for the systems would come from converting a police department dispatcher position to an administrative analyst position, as well as $219,010 in Measure R funds and $18,180 in general fund monies.
Kalinowski said the department contacted several companies for the camera system, but chose Axon because its equipment will automatically activate when an officer draws their handgun or stun gun.
In addition, the system will automatically activate on all officers in the area or coming to the scene, he said.
“So if I’m the first officer on scene and I activate, and my partner has not had the opportunity to activate, the automatic activation will occur,” he said. “This includes vehicle cameras, assuming vehicles are within range.”
Vehicle cameras will activate when the overhead lights are turned on or in the case of a collision, Kalinowski said. The cameras can also be adjusted to respond to certain speed criteria, as well as if officers activate gun locks in the vehicle for less lethal weapons or patrol rifles, he said.
No other company offered the automatic activation feature in its systems, he said, adding Axon will ship the equipment to the department in July.
“The use of body-worn cameras not only provides a greater level of transparency, but also holds both parties accountable for their actions,” Galt Police Officers Association president Michael Little said.
“In today’s world, a few-seconds clip from a cell phone can form opinions and conclusions without any facts,” he said. “Allowing our officers to wear body-worn cameras will allow the department to release actual video and audio form the incidents to show the actual facts in any given incident.”
Councilman Rich Lozano said he was excited the department’s POA was on board with wearing the technology, and said it was important for the group to be part of policy decision when it comes to something they will be required to wear on the job.
“I think that this is a huge step in providing our officers the tools they need to do their job, protect themselves as well as the community,” he said. “And I’m excited about that. This is bringing technology to our officers, and I think that’s awesome.”
Councilman Kevin Papineau agreed, stating wearing cameras and having vehicles equipped with the technology is the industry standard.
“And I would venture to say, that in California, if there’s an agency three years down the road from now that doesn’t have this technology, it would probably be considered negligent, both by the community and officers, and be subject to some legal action,” he said. “I’m glad to see that we’re moving forward. I’m glad to see that you’ve noted we’re not the first ones doing this over the last 28 years. From the inside, I’ve seen law enforcement go from zero technology to where we are now.”