Newport Police Sergeant Todd Sarazin gave a presentation to the Newport city council on the use of the new body cameras that are worn by the Newport Police officers. He explained that the body worn cameras are used by law enforcement to record interactions with the public and to record evidence at a crime scene. He said they are known to increase both officer and citizen accountability. The cameras are placed on the center of the officers’ uniform. He said they are quite different from the car in-dash video cameras.

The cameras worn by the Newport officers were designed by police officers and are made by the company that also provides their tazers. Sgt. Sarazin said so far the use of the cameras have been very effective. “The objective is to record citizen contacts on critical incidents.” “It’s an effective tool, we hope that it lowers or nullifies citizen complaints.” Sarazin told the council they have been able to use the camera information once already to prove a false accusation against a police officer. “It also enhances the officers reports and their testimony in court.”

The videos are also available to use as evidence, as it documents the search and seizure and evidence impound. When the officer is done on patrol they upload the video through a docking station and is uploaded to the cloud for storage. Newport police have about twenty cameras at this point at a cost of about $399 each. The cameras started being used in Europe back in 2004, and have become increasingly utilized by law enforcement in the United States since 2014. Toledo Police started using body cameras for their officers back in 2008, and they are also used by State Police.

Story by Kiera Morgan