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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department on Thursday said it has signed a $9.2 million contract with Decatur, Georgia-based Utility Inc., which will equip 1,100 officers with BodyWorn camera technology.
IMPD said the 5-1/2-year contract covers the costs of leasing the technology, installation of the equipment, upgrades to the technology after three years, maintenance and local support to address any technology issues, and cloud-based video storage.
The contract covers the 1,100 officers in the 1,700-officer force who respond to 911 emergency calls.
Installation of the technology will begin in the coming weeks with officers in IMPD’s East District, the busiest district in the city, with a goal of equipping 10 officers per day, the department said.
IMPD has assigned Lt. Scott Kulig to oversee the camera program and will hire civilians to manage, review, and redact footage. Those positions are expected to cost the city an additional $159,000.
The funds were included in the 2020 City-County Budget along with an initial $1.2 million dedicated to the technology rollout.
“Last year, we partnered with the City-County Council to identify the funds needed to launch this program following a period of community feedback,” Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said in written remarks. “Peaceful protests in recent weeks have renewed calls to equip our officers with this important technology. The signing of this contract represents a years-long, significant investment in transparency and accountability that will benefit both our IMPD officers and the residents
they serve.”
The technology that accompanies the cameras allows for decentralized uploading of footage as well as automated recording triggers that will turn the cameras on in certain situations, including when officers are within 500 feet of a dispatched run, draw their guns, begin to run, or begin to shake like when engaged in a fight.
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Having the cameras is just the first step. Next comes formulating the rules which make police actions transparent, i.e., releasing to the public unedited video and audio. Only by having the right rules in place, and complied with, will trust in police actions be possible.
Great point, Brent. Hopefully IMPD will embrace full transparency. It will go a long way to fostering a trusting relationship with the people they protect and serve. It will also help make sure justice is always served, in an era where so much is ignored or swept under the rug if it wasn’t caught on video. Happy to see tax dollars go to this initiative!
Please explain to me – and other Indpls taxpayers – why this wasn’t done years ago!!! We can build soccer stadiums for people who would never fill them, infra-structure for rental blue cars who nobody used, a multi-million Red Line Bus system that nobody uses – but body cams?!! Where are your priorities – Mayor Hogsett – and those before you?!?
Larry, a lot of police forces don’t want these for obvious reasons. Police voices are heard pretty loudly at the local level (everywhere, not just in Indy). Certainly earlier would have been best, but I say better late than never.
Even in a obvious wrong in Lville, wrong address on warrant, gal shot dead, no past history, totally innocent. They can’t find the warrant or a copy in the computer age? So good luck with getting police, prosecutors, or politicians to do the right thing. Remember cops vote Democrat and blacks wanting change do too. Nothing much will change, just like federal level, Democrats are holding up change, to hang on to the issue.
If a 501c (non profit charity) account was formed, i am sure many would contribute. This isnt a political issue but one for public safety and accountability
The initial cost is just the tip of the iceberg to successfully manage and store all the video. That cost, when Indy did not have enough money to fix streets, was a deterrent initially. Ballard built the Cricket field and the Blue cars and wasted millions of dollars. He spent all the water money on pet projects after water company sold and now City makes No money from water.
Why not put a body camera and tracer on Hogsett so everyone can know where he’s been? He seems to be hard to find.
Apparently you don’t pay attention. The mayor has a press conference once a week.
I would like to see the video of Hoggset telling the police to stand down during the riot(s)
I would like to see the video of Hoggset telling the police to stand down during the riot(s)