More body cameras approved for police
City aldermen approve a request for the police department to buy more body-worn cameras and related equipment.
City aldermen unanimously approved a request for the police department to purchase additional body-worn cameras and related equipment.
During a meeting Tuesday, the Common Council adopted a resolution authorizing $115,000 for the Kingston Police Department to purchase 16 new body-worn cameras and related equipment, including two data transfer stations and data storage. The council also unanimously authorized borrowing the money to pay for the equipment.
Prior to the vote, Alderman Tony Davis, D-Ward 6, said he would have preferred the Kingston Police Department put the funding request in the agency’s budget line or its annual capital plan. He also said the council should be mindful of such funding requests when creating the city’s annual budget.
During a council caucus meeting the night before, Majority Leader Reynolds Scott-Childress, D-Ward 3, said there were a few things that happened that led to the funding request not being in the police department’s budget. He said the department needs storage to maintain the data from the cameras and a report came out that indicated the department should have more cameras. It takes a long time to download the data from the camera and the department wants each officer on duty to wear one, not just those in patrol cars, Scott-Childress added.
The council’s Finance and Audit Committee had previously tabled the funding request because aldermen wanted additional information about the need for the cameras and the policy governing their use. During that meeting, Davis said he was told the police department currently has 14 body-worn cameras and the additional devices would allow for 10 to be used each shift.
The Kingston Police Department currently has 66 members, which includes administrators.
Police Chief Egidio Tinti has said he would prefer each officer be individually equipped, easing maintenance and care of the devices.