City OKs body cameras for police

By: 
Wade Young, wade@montgomerymnnews.com

Montgomery’s law enforcement agency is implementing a bodyworn camera (BWC) program.

The program was approved by the City Council on Monday, July 19.

Police Chief Nathan Hintz believes the time is coming when the department will be forced to use them. He also said the cost-savings from avoided litigation will pay for the program.

“I believe one case of litigation or lawsuit will pay for it. It records the behavior our officers are seeing on the street. It makes us do our job correctly. It keeps us out of court. I believe it’s necessary at this point,” he stated.

He stated in his report the department occasionally has officers working alone and a BWC can be the best witness that will help protect citizens and police officers in both critical incidents and every day encounters.

The cost for the cameras, software and “cloud” storage system, when bundled with taser replacements is $108,349 over five years.

City Administrator Brian Heck said the costs might be able to be broken into different departments like the equipment fund it doesn’t all come out of the police department’s budget. Hintz added that he is also looking at grant money to help pay for the program.

The police chief said the camera technology is amazing.

“The cameras sync together...

To see more on this story pick up the July 22, 2021 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

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