Nashville Police To Roll Out Body Cameras For Entire Department in Coming Weeks

Nashville Police To Roll Out Body Cameras For Entire Department in Coming Weeks

The department faced outcries of support for mandatory body cameras and dashcams after two black men were killed by police officers within two years.

Following years of delays, the Nashville police department will roll out police body cameras for all of its officers in the next few weeks, the mayor’s office confirmed to The Nashville Tennessean.

This week, the Metro Nashville Police and the city government signed a contract with WatchGuard, a camera company who will provide the equipment to the city. Installation of dashboard cameras and the issuing of body-worn cameras is expected to begin in late September or early October, the Tennessean reported.

“I think it’s a huge step,” said Marcus Floyd, the public safety and justice policy advisor to Mayor David Briley. “This is absolutely something that’s going to improve the relationship between police and the community in Nashville. We’re full steam ahead.”

Activists have been pushing for the department to adopt mandatory body cameras for years, particularly after two black men were shot dead by Nashville police officers within two years. Sheila Clemmons, the mother of Jocques Clemmons, who was killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in 2017, advocated for the cameras and told local news outlets she was relieved to hear the news.

On top of the $15 million already set aside to buy the cameras, police chief Steve Anderson told the city in March that he needed $4.6 million in additional funds to add 36 new officers and staff to oversee the rollout and the footage the cameras will produce. In addition to 10 new information technology staffers, two new public information officers will help handle requests for footage.

The department has yet to confirm if all of those positions have been filled, and the city said a final cost was not included in the contract it signed with WatchGuard.

Next steps for Nashville police include updating all of the mobile data center technology in the department’s vehicles so that they are compatible with dashboard cameras. About half of the 870-vehicle fleet has been updated so far.

WatchGuard employees are expected to start installing cameras and training officers on how to use the equipment after the vehicle updates are completed. Floyd said the plan has always been to have the cameras out in the field by this fall.

"Police and members of the public have been clamoring for these cameras, waiting with bated breath for them,” he said. “They'll be here in a few weeks."

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

  • DHS to End ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy today which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. Read Now

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.