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Police to wear cameras

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department has recently issued each of their officers an AXON Body Worn Camera to wear when on duty. Officers have worn the cameras since March 9th as part of a trial period to work out any bugs. The process of looking at body cameras began last summer just before the budgeting process for 2021 began. The department signed a five year contract worth $108,917.17 that includes twenty cameras, various licences, storage, and other related equipment. 

 

One of several reasons for implementing body-worn cameras is to increase transparency of operations and to reduce litigation. Other reasons include protection from false accusations, collecting evidence for trial, and improving community relations. Sturgeon Bay PD Captain Dan Brinkman believes these problems aren’t a worry in Sturgeon Bay so far and finds the officers to be great individuals, but sees this as a help to ensure that continues.

 

 

Brinkman also noted that there is no denying the friction seen across the country played a relatively big role in the decision, and while they can’t control that elsewhere, they can control how officers operate in Sturgeon Bay. While the cameras are looked at as a great tool, Brinkman adds they should never be seen as the sole truth. 

 

 

Officers cannot erase or edit the recorded data. The cameras can be triggered in three different ways. One being when an officer’s squad car emergency lights come on. Another when an officer releases the lock on the squad’s gun rack, or manually by an officer on foot, who may encounter an incident. The department thanked the Sturgeon Bay Common Council in a release as well as the community for being strong, supportive partners. 

 

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