HUDSON, OH (June 24, 2020) – At the June 23 Council Workshop, Hudson Police Chief Perry Tabak presented a recommendation to move up the purchase of police body cameras from the 2021 budget to this year. Through a financing arrangement, Chief Tabak said the cameras could be purchased this year, with deferred payments to begin in 2021.
“We evaluated multiple cameras and systems for over a year, including vendor demos and visiting police departments to view systems that were up and running,” said Chief Tabak. “This is an integrated system that would include our body cameras and in-car cameras.”
The system integrates the body cameras and car dashboard cameras into a coordinated system which synchronizes the video playback and automatically records so it does not require turning the cameras on to work. The system will meet records retention requirements and includes storage redundancy to ensure records are kept as required by retention schedules.
When multiple officers on scene all have in-car and body cameras recording, the system will provide a clearer picture of an incident by recording video from multiple views.
The use of body cameras will help resolve complaints, prevent false complaints, enhance transparency and officer accountability, identify and address structural and procedural problems within the department, and provide important evidence for investigations. In addition, studies have shown that the use of body cameras also reduces the use-of-force incidents and reduces citizen complaints.
“Body cameras encourage everyone – the officers and the public – to be on their best behavior when they know the cameras are running.”
The system, which will include 24 cameras, will cost $198,000, with payments deferred until 2021. If authorized by City Council, the cameras would be installed and implemented this year. Council will vote on the purchase of the body camera system at a future Council Meeting.