City police officers get body cameras
Technology upgrades have been in use since January
Eastpointe became the latest city in Macomb County to embrace police body cameras and all of the technology that goes along with them.
The Eastpointe Police Department has been using them since January of 2021 and Public Safety Director George Rouhib says having that technology available is a huge asset to his department
“We have been researching body cameras for quite some time,” said Rouhib.
“The main reason they were not purchased was the initial and continued cost of technology. Our city council unanimously supported and approved the purchase.”
The cost of the entire package was $306,000 with that cost being offset with $23,000 in grant funding from a Resource Allocation Program (RAP) grant. The Eastpointe package included 30 body cameras, 12 in-car cameras, batteries, battery chargers, data storage, a maintenance plan, and other software.
The new in-car cameras were purchased in order for them to sync with the body cameras. The body
camera package was purchased from Axon Enterprises, Inc. using a five-year payment plan.
“The department always had in-car cameras, however, they only record certain angles and the sound goes out at times,” said Rouhib. “The bodyworn camera will provide a greater view of most citizen encounters and will help maintain transparency and accountability.”
Rouhib says body cameras help to protect officers from false claims and may reduce assaults if the assailant is aware the officer is wearing a camera. The technology will enable the Eastpointe police to do some things they have been unable to do.
“The cameras assist with evidence collection and will provide evidence for criminal prosecutions, which we could not do in the past,” said Rouhib. “They also allow the administration to determine if department policies were followed and because the sound and picture on the body cameras is so much better compared to an in-care camera, the videos can be used as training.”
Rouhib anticipates the body cameras may keep officers more focused with encountering citizens and will reduce liability for the police.
“Currently, the officers are adapting to the technology,” said Rouhib. “The sound and picture quality is amazing and certainly will benefit the department and our community members.”
The current national climate in relation to police officers and focus on incidents of police brutality across the country figured into the timing of the purchase.
“The multiple police protests throughout the United States and claims of racism was the catalyst to move this project forward,” said Rouhib. “We are appreciative of our council support.”