MAUMELLE, AR — The Maumelle Police Department is the latest central Arkansas agency to begin using body cameras.
The department says they protect the officers wearing the cameras and the public they are recording.
“I think they’re fantastic,” said Lt. Scotty Bryant.
Bryant says he likes the idea of having a record of what happens during his shift.
“If we’re doing what were supposed to be doing the proper way then there’s nothing to hide,” said Bryant.
Maumelle Police Chief Sam Williams has been in law enforcement for nearly 40 years. He says body cameras are one way to build trust between the public and those charged with protecting.
“If cameras or anything else will help determine what happened then that’s a good thing,” Williams said.
Williams says his policy is officers must push the record button before any interaction with the public except when protecting victims of certain crimes.
A claw back feature allows the department to force download video within 24 hours even if an officer didn’t press record.
Bryant says the technology gives him peace of mind.
“I never really worried about it before, but I worry even less now about false accusations,” he said.
The department bought 10 devices at $1,000 dollars a piece with a combination of a state grant and department funds.
Williams says he hopes to secure funding to supply the rest of the 20 officer department with body cameras in next year’s budget.
The department says they protect the officers wearing the cameras and the public they are recording.
“I think they’re fantastic,” said Lt. Scotty Bryant.
Bryant says he likes the idea of having a record of what happens during his shift.
“If we’re doing what were supposed to be doing the proper way then there’s nothing to hide,” said Bryant.
Maumelle Police Chief Sam Williams has been in law enforcement for nearly 40 years. He says body cameras are one way to build trust between the public and those charged with protecting.
“If cameras or anything else will help determine what happened then that’s a good thing,” Williams said.
Williams says his policy is officers must push the record button before any interaction with the public except when protecting victims of certain crimes.
A claw back feature allows the department to force download video within 24 hours even if an officer didn’t press record.
Bryant says the technology gives him peace of mind.
“I never really worried about it before, but I worry even less now about false accusations,” he said.
The department bought 10 devices at $1,000 dollars a piece with a combination of a state grant and department funds.
Williams says he hopes to secure funding to supply the rest of the 20 officer department with body cameras in next year’s budget.