{"id":1978,"date":"2021-03-22T20:30:44","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T00:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/?p=1978"},"modified":"2021-03-22T20:30:47","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T00:30:47","slug":"selectboard-to-discuss-body-cams-for-police","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/norwichobserver.com\/index.php\/2021\/03\/22\/selectboard-to-discuss-body-cams-for-police\/","title":{"rendered":"Selectboard to discuss body cams for police"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Source: ACLU-VT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Police body cameras are an important tool to enhance accountability and transparency in policing. Is Norwich ready to the make the move? How about if a grant covered nearly 80% of the cost? The matter is on the Selectboard agenda for its meeting on March 24. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discussed below are the stated reasons for the proposed purchase as well the Selectboard Chair’s opposition. At the end, I rant about the lack of a capital plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposal is to purchase four in-car cameras and four accompanying body cameras. Total cost, including software and installation, is approximately $38,000. Of that amount, $30,000 is coming as a grant from the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation. That Foundation regularly receives praise for its support of community organizations<\/a> in the Upper Valley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Body cams for police are usually thought of as a good thing. Even the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont is “cautiously optimistic”<\/a> about their use. However, paying for the equipment is just one consideration. An overriding concern, says ACLU-VT<\/a> is whether adequate policies are in place to “protect privacy, assure accountability, and allow transparency.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief Frank’s proposal<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Several months before her announced move to become police chief in Windsor, Police Chief Jennifer Frank proposed the purchase of four in-car cameras an four accompanying body cameras. The budget proposed by Town Manager Herb Durfee did not include the expense. However, in his proposed capital plan, the Town Manager included the purchase for the fiscal year starting this July 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In support of its inclusion in the capital plan, Chief Frank noted that recent legislation requires body cams for the Vermont State Police. She also believes this mandate will soon extend to local police departments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, Chief Frank praised the benefits of body cams and in-car cameras. In her capital plan justification, the Chief wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the US Department of Justice, through its research arm, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing include the use of body-worn cameras and in cruiser cameras as best practices for law enforcement. These studies concluded that officers utilizing body cameras had 87.5% fewer incidents of use of force and 59% fewer complaints than officers who did not utilize the technology. … <\/p>

While body worn cameras and in-car camera systems were on the list of equipment to replace, research, and potentially implement, other budgetary needs were more immediate resulting in this line item receiving a lower immediacy rating for implementation. As a result of this new state mandated legislation, and in an effort to remain consistent with best practices, this equipment line item has been moved forward in budgetary expenditure fulfillment.<\/p>Selectboard packet for March 24, 2021 at page 9<\/a>6.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In-car cameras<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

At present, police cars in Norwich have in-car cameras. These date back to 2013. In her capital plan justification, the Chief described the system as “antiquated, unreliable, and incompatible with body-worn cameras.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition to purchase <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Selectboard Chair Roger Arnold opposes “the use of Body Cameras for Norwich, especially at this moment in time.” His two page memorandum is in the Selectboard packet for March 24<\/a> at page 119. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the memo, Mr. Arnold says that studies show mixed results regarding the effectiveness of body cameras, referencing a Pew Trusts Stateline article by Lindsey Van Ness<\/a>. His conclusion on the studies differs from the statistics cited by the Police Chief. In addition, Mr. Arnold thinks the use of body cameras raise privacy and accountability questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chair Arnold also asks the Selectboard to consider three specific points<\/p>\n\n\n\n