Norwich Police Department to get body cameras with grant funds
NORWICH – The Norwich Police Department will soon be equipped with body cameras following the announcement of a $50,000 grant, made possible with the assistance of Senator Fred Akshar.
“Our community is fortunate to have a strong and supportive relationship with law enforcement and emergency services,” said Akshar. “I want to make sure I do my part as state senator to help strengthen that relationship, increase transparency and give our police and emergency services the tools they need to better protect and serve our community.”
According to Norwich Police Chief Rodney Marsh, the plan is to purchase a camera for each officer in the department, including the Deputy Chief and Chief.
The grant money will cover the cost of the cameras, the associated equipment, and the necessary storage of the footage.
Marsh explained that the cameras will capture both audio and video. The cameras will not be on ‘all the time,’ and the specifics of the policy are still to be determined.
Marsh said the cameras will, “Improve public safety, enhance accountability and trust with the community and provide accurate documentation of officer encounters with citizens.”
“The storage could become an issue at some point, as it has already with some larger departments,” said Marsh with regard to any possible bumps in the road. “Some of that might be addressed within the policy of how long the footage must be kept.”
Marsh continued, “We are currently looking at several different vendors. Once one is chosen, it could take anywhere from to 8-10 weeks for the cameras to be delivered. In the meantime, we are looking at getting some demos to try/evaluate and working on the policy itself.”
Marsh expressed his gratitude to Akshar for his help in securing the funds.
“In the beginning of the year I started looking at some federal grants for body-cameras. Most of them were ‘matching’ grants, which required the City to match the amount of the grant,” said Marsh. “Due to limited funding, the idea of starting this program was set aside for the time being. In July, Senator Akshar contacted me and told me that he was able to secure funding for the Norwich Police Department and it could be utilized as we saw necessary. The first thing I thought of was a body-camera program. Again, this program would not have been possible if it wasn’t for Senator Akshar.”
Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride additionally expressed his thanks to the Senator.
“Body cameras protect the community, the police, and it makes my job easier when a matter comes to court,” said McBride.
McBride added that in our modern, 2016 society, the cameras will allow police and the DA’s Office to see evidence of an incident/arrest.
“Not only would I like to thank the Senator, but I would also like to thank the Norwich Police Department,” McBride said.
“I look forward to being able to use the information to prove whatever may have happened following an encounter with the police,” said McBride.
“If it wasn’t for Senator Akshar securing these funds, the Norwich Police wouldn’t be able to establish such a program,” said Marsh.
AP Photo
“Our community is fortunate to have a strong and supportive relationship with law enforcement and emergency services,” said Akshar. “I want to make sure I do my part as state senator to help strengthen that relationship, increase transparency and give our police and emergency services the tools they need to better protect and serve our community.”
According to Norwich Police Chief Rodney Marsh, the plan is to purchase a camera for each officer in the department, including the Deputy Chief and Chief.
The grant money will cover the cost of the cameras, the associated equipment, and the necessary storage of the footage.
Marsh explained that the cameras will capture both audio and video. The cameras will not be on ‘all the time,’ and the specifics of the policy are still to be determined.
Marsh said the cameras will, “Improve public safety, enhance accountability and trust with the community and provide accurate documentation of officer encounters with citizens.”
“The storage could become an issue at some point, as it has already with some larger departments,” said Marsh with regard to any possible bumps in the road. “Some of that might be addressed within the policy of how long the footage must be kept.”
Marsh continued, “We are currently looking at several different vendors. Once one is chosen, it could take anywhere from to 8-10 weeks for the cameras to be delivered. In the meantime, we are looking at getting some demos to try/evaluate and working on the policy itself.”
Marsh expressed his gratitude to Akshar for his help in securing the funds.
“In the beginning of the year I started looking at some federal grants for body-cameras. Most of them were ‘matching’ grants, which required the City to match the amount of the grant,” said Marsh. “Due to limited funding, the idea of starting this program was set aside for the time being. In July, Senator Akshar contacted me and told me that he was able to secure funding for the Norwich Police Department and it could be utilized as we saw necessary. The first thing I thought of was a body-camera program. Again, this program would not have been possible if it wasn’t for Senator Akshar.”
Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride additionally expressed his thanks to the Senator.
“Body cameras protect the community, the police, and it makes my job easier when a matter comes to court,” said McBride.
McBride added that in our modern, 2016 society, the cameras will allow police and the DA’s Office to see evidence of an incident/arrest.
“Not only would I like to thank the Senator, but I would also like to thank the Norwich Police Department,” McBride said.
“I look forward to being able to use the information to prove whatever may have happened following an encounter with the police,” said McBride.
“If it wasn’t for Senator Akshar securing these funds, the Norwich Police wouldn’t be able to establish such a program,” said Marsh.
AP Photo
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