Medina police officers will soon be wearing body cameras
File photo: This picture shows a body camera on an Albion police officer. Albion started using the cameras on Oct. 1, 2016.
MEDINA – The Police Department will be adding body cameras to the 13 members of the department, likely in March, Police Chief Chad Kenward said.
The department has purchased 13 body cameras for about $12,000. State funding from Sen. Robert Ortt and money from a state forfeiture program from a drug arrest in medina are covering 76 percent of the cost, Kenward told the Village Board on Monday.
The remainder of the cost, about $3,000, is from the Police Department budget.
“Each officer has been assigned a body cam and will be wearing it when on duty,” Kenward said today. “We are still in the initial stages of the project. The cameras just came in the other day. We are currently working on installing the software into the system and I am working on the policies and procedures for the camera program for the department.”
Albion started using body cams on officers on Oct. 1, 2016 and the Holley Police Department added four body cameras in October 2017. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office doesn’t have body cams.
Kenward said the cameras have reduced personnel complaints for other departments, and also provide evidence during an arrest or incident.
Kenward also notified the board a new vehicle for the K9 and Lt. Todd Draper, the dog’s handler, is now in service.
