Following unrest in Ferguson, Mo., the use of body cameras by law enforcement became a topic of national debate.
While Pueblo and Colorado Springs police are testing their new body cameras, UCCS police officers have worn them since 2012. Lt. Marc Pino, answered specific questions about the UCCS Police Department’s use of body-worn cameras.
How long have UCCS police officers worn body cameras?
UCCS has used body cameras since 2012. We purchased them in August and created a departmental policy based on the best practices of the International Association of Police Chiefs.
Why did UCCS PD invest in body cameras, and what are the benefits?
Before 2012, the UCCS Police Department didn’t have any sort of video surveillance. At the time, dashboard camera were fairly popular. But, because most of our contacts take on campus and away from our cruisers, that option didn’t make much sense. We needed something that was mobile and that we could use while responding to any call, whether it was a routine traffic stop or a call in a residence hall.
The cameras provide an accurate version of what the officers encountered and saw. There is no Monday morning quarterbacking. There’s no question about what the officer did while on scene. It’s documented from start to finish. They’re also a great training tool because you can go back through and say, “You know, I didn’t do this well. I could have done this better.” It helps the officers in getting better at their jobs.
Are there any concerns regarding officers forgetting to turn their cameras on and forgetting to record a contact?
Yes, it’s always a possibility that in the heat of the moment an officer might forget. But that’s not an issue we’ve had. The officers see the cameras as a benefit to them and allow them to better do their job.
How do the officers feel about wearing the cameras?
They like it because it helps them with their investigation, and helps out with that collection of evidence. Often times in a stressful situation, little things are missed. By using bodycams, officers are able to go back and review contacts and looked for missed details. This allows officers to focus on what a person is saying instead of trying to take notes or remember everything that is being said.
How do the cameras work, and when are they on?
We use them for all criminal investigations. For any call for service an officer receives, we activate the camera and document the entire contact. The cameras have what’s called a fish eye lens so they record everything the officer can see from his or her point of view. After the contact is made, the officers turn the camera off. So, typically when we’re out and about on campus, the cameras are not on and we’re not recording. But once a call is placed or we see something that might be criminal in nature, we turn on the camera.
What happens to the footage when an officer’s patrol is done?
At the end of a shift, officers upload the footage to the department’s server. They’re able to add any notes regarding evidence they gathered, what they saw, and the outcome of the contact. Once uploaded, only admins have access to the file.
If the contact resulted in criminal charges, the footage is downloaded to a DVD, entered as evidence and kept until the court case is complete and the district attorney releases all evidence. All other footage is stored locally for 60 days before being automatically deleted.
How much do the cameras cost, and what is their lifespan?
Depending on the model, they cost between $300 and $800. Due to the scope of our job, we’re kind of hard on equipment, so we expect they’ll last for about five years.
— Video by Philip Denman
UCCS leading from the front.