JPD to outfit officers with body cameras
The state's largest city has finally acquired body cameras, a development that promises to usher in more transparency in a police department that has faced allegations of police brutality and lingering questions over officer-involved shootings.
Jackson Police Department spokesman Sam Brown unveiled details behind the long-sought body cameras at a June 25 press conference.
"With the addition of the body-worn cameras, the department is more transparent and more accountable to the citizens of Jackson. This will improve community relations," Brown said.
The city purchased 271 Getac body-worn cameras — enough to equip every patrol officer in the department. Officers will be trained on how to use the cam
eras later this week and equipped with the cameras beginning next week, Brown said.
What is expected of officers wearing cameras?
Brown said officers will be required to turn the cameras on once alerted of a call, and keep the video recording until a call is considered completed. Officers who don't record calls will face disciplinary measures, but he offered no specifics on the nature of such measures.
In addition to improving accountability and transparency, the cameras will also serve to clear officers of alleged misconduct, Brown said, and reduce the number of "unnecessary excessive force" complaints against the department.
"If a police officer acts lawfully, then he or she should not be wrongly accused, forced to defend himself or herself, and forced to face punishment they do not deserve," he said.
Additionally, body cameras will increase productivity within the department, Brown claimed.
"People act differently when they are recorded and the police are not different," he said.
Larger Mississippi cities, including metro Jackson municipalities, have had body cameras for years. But it took "creative measures" from the city to secure the funding, Brown said.
The city is paying $306,000 for the new equipment and a Department of Justice grant is footing the remaining $300,000. The money covers the purchase of the cameras, cloud storage for memory and training for officers.
The body camera announcement follows several moves by the Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba administration to update and modernize the department.
In September, Lumumba unveiled a fleet of 46 new police cruisers for the department, the first major upgrade to the JPD fleet in three years.
In March, the City Council approved 24 new police SUVS and 141 tasers.
JPD conduct at issue in cases
JPD continues to face criticism from several recent incidents.
That includes the death of George Robinson on the night of Jan. 13. Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-stewart ruled his death a homicide. Family say three JPD officers beat him to death.
In September, former Jackson police officer, Vincent Lampkin was sentenced to a year in jail for assaulting 19-year-old John Knight III after a May 14, 2018, traffic stop.
Knight says Lampkin pulled him over and attacked him.
JPD officer James Hollins committed suicide on Memorial Day after it was revealed he was under investigation for the alleged sexual assault of a minor.
And last week, a settlement was reached in a lawsuit filed against former JPD officer Justin Roberts and the city of Jackson by Ladarius Brown, whose beating was captured on video in 2017.
Contact Justin Vicory at 769-572-1418 or jvicory@gannett.com. Follow @justinvicory on Twitter.