To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Jack Cauley, Chief of Police
Title
Discussion/Direction: Body-Worn Cameras for Officers
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
Castle Rock Police Department has been in the process of researching the purchase of body-worn cameras for the officers and requests direction (input) from Town Council.
Discussion
One of the most important issues currently facing law enforcement is how to leverage new technology to improve policing services. For example, the Castle Rock Police Department utilizes technological tools such as social media to engage the community, in-car cameras to record police contacts related to traffic stops, data analysis to more efficiently deploy police officers, and the ePolice Reporting system that allows residents to conveniently report crime online.
Since the 1980s, video cameras have been an evolving tool for law enforcement agencies. Many police departments across the country first implemented this technology by installing in-car video systems, still in wide-use today. The Castle Rock Police Department installed in-car video systems in 2013. In-car video systems are a great tool but limits recordings to whatever can be seen through the windshield of a police car. The audio portion of the recording is limited to a range in close proximity to the police car. Body-worn cameras significantly broaden the reach of video recording in the field that allows officers to record contact with individuals whether within a police vehicle or on foot.
Body-worn cameras represent one new form of technology that is significantly affecting the field of policing. There has been a great deal of discussion about the pros and cons of body-worn cameras among law enforcement organizations, local, state and federal governments, citizens, and the media. Many of the pros and cons associated with implementing body-worn cameras will be discussed within this document and the attachments that follow.
Members of the Police Department worked closely with DoIT and Legal staff members to complete comprehensive research of body-worn cameras, including reviewing policies of police agencies who have implemented this technology as well as reviewing reports from national, state and local organizations. This research included:
• The Police Executive Research Forum’s report, “Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program - Recommendations and Lessons Learned”
• The Colorado Best Practices Committee for Prosecutors, “Body-Worn Cameras: A Report for Law Enforcement”
• The Arvada Police Department’s report, “Body-worn Camera Video Technology”
After completing our research and evaluation of body-worn cameras, we determined the benefits outweighed the cons of implementing body-worn cameras within our department and recommend proceeding with implementing a body-worn camera program in 2016. As such, we included costs associated with a body-worn camera program in our 2016 budget requests.
Attached are documents with additional information pertaining to benefits and concerns of body-worn cameras, policy considerations, privacy concerns and other relevant issues related to the implementation of body-worn cameras.
Public Safety Commission
The Public Safety Commission discussed the body-worn camera issue at their August 6, 2015 Public Safety Commission meeting. During that meeting, the Commission voted to endorse the implementation of body-worn cameras. (Vote: 4 yea, 1 absence)
Budget Impact
The Police Department’s budget impact is estimated to be $166,607 in 2016; and $97,488 in the subsequent years. The amounts above include the body-worn cameras, replacement Tasers and associated technology & equipment. Funds from the General Fund and Police Forfeiture Fund will be used as a funding source for the project as shown below. The projected costs will be applied to the following cost codes:
|
2016 |
General Fund (machinery/equip) 110-2110-421.70-30 |
$142,779 |
|
2016 |
Police Forfeiture (machinery/equip) 125-2100-421.70-30 |
$ 23,828 |
|
2017 |
General Fund (machinery/equip) 110-2110-421.70-30 |
$ 97,488 |
|
2018 |
General Fund (machinery/equip) 110-2110-421.70-30 |
$ 97,488 |
|
2019 |
General Fund (machinery/equip) 110-2110-421.70-30 |
$ 97,488 |
|
2020 |
General Fund (machinery/equip) 110-2110-421.70-30 |
$ 97,488 |
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends the Town Council approve the proposed body-worn camera program and refer the item for financial consideration with the 2016 budget process.
Attachments
Attachment A: Benefits and concerns
Attachment B: Policy Considerations
Attachment C: Evaluation and Testing
Attachment D: Conclusion and Recommended Action