Cuyahoga Falls police purchasing first set of body cameras
CUYAHOGA FALLS — Police officers in the city will be wearing body cameras for the first time at some point in 2022.
The police department is spending approximately $380,000 to purchase 60 body cameras and 22-in car dashboard cameras from GVS Getac Video.
"These will be our first body-worn cameras," said Police Chief Jack Davis. "All uniformed patrol officers will be assigned one."
The new dashboard cameras will replace the ones that are already in the cruisers and they will be linked to the body cameras, according to the chief.
"What we wanted was a combination body camera and dash cam [system]," said Davis. "This works together and gives us a really nice product."
Capt. Chris Norfolk said they hope to have the equipment in hand before the end of the year.
"The officers are excited about it and looking forward to it," Norfolk said.
Davis added the equipment will need to be installed and set up. It's not yet known when the system will be ready to go and operational.
"It depends on scheduling of the installation," Davis stated.
Some of the officers recently tried out the body cameras and GVS Getac Video made some changes to the design based on suggestions given by the officers, according to Davis.
A look at other area departments
Some neighboring police departments have, in some cases, used body cameras for several years.
The Stow Police Department implemented its body camera system in fall of 2015, according to Chief Jeff Film.
"We were one of the first police departments in Summit County to implement a department wide system," Film said. "The cameras sync directly with the mobile cameras in the police cruisers."
Film added the department has 45 body cameras, which is enough to equip each front line officer and supervisor. He noted he has requested funding in the 2022 capital budget to replace or upgrade the cameras.
"Because our current inventory has aged and we are starting to see higher maintenance issues and costs, we made it a priority to replace the lot to keep our officers equipped with the necessary equipment to better serve our community," Film said.
The Hudson Police Department bought an integrated body camera and in-car camera system that officers began using at the start of this year. Police Chief Perry Tabak said the city purchased a body camera for each patrol officer and two spare devices.
"So far we are happy with the units," Tabak said. "I think it was a great investment for our staff and community."
The Silver Lake Police Department has 12 body cameras that were purchased in 2015, and Chief James Norris said the agency is planning to buy new devices in 2022.
The Tallmadge Police Department has 14 body cameras that the agency bought in 2017. Chief Ronald Williams said his officers are required to use the equipment.
"They’ve been a great tool that gives us additional evidence," Williams said.
“They provide a recording of a situation that can support an officer’s testimony."
Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Superintendent Col. Richard Fambro recently announced plans to outfit every state trooper with a body-worn camera. The distribution and installation of 1,550 new body cameras and 1,221 new in-car systems began in November and is expected to be finished by May 2022.
Reporter Phil Keren can be reached at pkeren@thebeaconjournal.com, or on Twitter at @keren_phil.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cuyahoga Falls police purchasing first set of body cameras
