Phoenix officials push to buy body cameras for all patrol officers
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Councilwoman Thelda Williams on Monday asked that the new city budget allow for all of the city’s patrol officers to wear body cameras in the next three years.
“If one tool can help our police officers more effectively do their jobs while reducing complaints and improving community relations, then it’s an investment that Phoenix has to make,” Stanton said in a statement.
The appeal comes as the department works to hire 300 new officers by 2019, an initiative intended to refill positions left open during a seven-year hiring freeze.
ACLU: Why Phoenix area police need body cameras
Stanton and Williams’ statement did not include an estimated budget, but previous projections have had hefty price tags. At a public-safety subcommittee meeting last year, Phoenix police Chief Joe Yahner said equipping all first-responding officers with body cameras would top $3.5 million.
Arizona Senate committee rejects state rules on police body-cameras
The cost will be partially covered by a $637,000 federal grant awarded late last year, money that was earmarked for the purchase of 150 more body cameras. The grant will essentially double the number of cameras being used today.
The majority of the cameras are currently saturated in the Maryvale Precinct, where the city conducted a pilot program with the equipment.
Border Patrol: We'll use body cameras ... eventually
In a memo to City Manager Ed Zuercher, Williams and Stanton cited the program as grounds for their request.
“In the areas where cameras were used, Phoenix saw significant drops in complaints against officers, more effective processing of cases in court and improved evidence in the prosecution of domestic-violence cases,” the letter said.