The Fishers Police Department is beginning the process of installing video body cameras on all its officers, with the goal of having a camera on all uniformed field personnel in 2020. Chief Ed Gebhart says the total cost of the equipment alone will be more than $1 million over five years, with grants covering a part of the cost.
The city is using CNA Analysis and Solutions as the commercial vendor to provide the video equipment and all that goes with it.
Gebhart
Fishers Police officials held training sessions Thursday and offered a glimpse of the technology to the public Thursday evening. Scot Haug of CNA, a former chief of police, says wearable video cameras for police officers will be the norm, not the exception, over the coming three years.
Haug emphasized that the video cameras will provide many advantages, but also has its limitations. CNA’s Daniel Zehnder, formerly with the Las Vegas Police Department, said the video cameras cannot replace good investigative work.
Chief Gebhart, in answer to a question from the audience, said his department will abide by all state laws relating to public records once the video camera recordings become widely available.
On the rollout schedule, Gebhart says tests are being conducted now as a part of the financial grant process.
“We’re taking the entire year to do this the right way, with professionals and with partnerships, and with the community as well,” Gebhart said. “In 2020, I hope to be 100 percent operational if we don’t have any technical difficulties as we go with the program.”