Aspen Police Department to Equip Officers with Body Cameras

Aspen Police Department to Equip Officers with Body Cameras

The police department will fund the body cameras through its savings account.

  • By Sherelle Black
  • Sep 12, 2019

The Aspen Police Department plans to pay about $1,000 per officer per year to equip the department with body cameras.

Since 2013 the department has been using body cameras but never department-wide until this year.

Aspen Police Chief Richard Pryor said a camera company provided body cameras for the entire department to use for free this year. When the contract ends Dec. 31, the cameras will be funded through the department’s savings fund.

Throughout this year, the officers were able to get familiar with the equipment, Pryor told The Aspen Times.

“The staff has gained a lot of confidence (with the cameras),” he said. “It gives people a bit more comfort they’ll be believed and they can get some evidence if they need it.”

In an age where police shootings are under more scrutiny from the community, Assistant Chief Linda Consuegra told the newspaper the body cameras will help tell the story for those who were not there and possibly prevent liability.

“I think they’re great,” she said. “This is what most law enforcement agencies are moving toward. We’re moving to an era where people say, ‘Where’s the video?’”

Additionally, she said a community survey done in 2015 and 2016 indicated more than 70 percent of residents somewhat or strongly supported body cameras.

“That said to us that there’s buy-in from the community,” she said.

She also told The Times more than 75 percent of the department thought body cameras were somewhat or very useful.

When it comes to using the cameras, officers will be required to turn on the cameras when responding to any call unless they are at the hospital, which in case they cannot use it because of privacy reasons.

School resource officers will not be allowed to use them due to privacy as well.

The police department will continue to have cameras in their vehicles as well.

About the Author

Sherelle Black is a Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • The Next Generation

    Video security technology has reached an inflection point. With advancements in cloud infrastructure and internet bandwidth, hybrid cloud solutions can now deliver new capabilities and business opportunities for security professionals and their customers. Read Now

  • Help Your Customer Protect Themselves

    In the world of IT, insider threats are on a steep upward trajectory. The cost of these threats - including negligent and malicious employees that may steal authorized users’ credentials, rose from $8.3 million in 2018 to $16.2 million in 2023. Insider threats towards physical infrastructures often bleed into the realm of cybersecurity; for instance, consider an unauthorized user breaching a physical data center and plugging in a laptop to download and steal sensitive digital information. Read Now

  • Enhanced Situation Awareness

    Did someone break into the building? Maybe it is just an employee pulling an all-nighter. Or is it an actual perpetrator? Audio analytics, available in many AI-enabled cameras, can add context to what operators see on the screen, helping them validate assumptions. If a glass-break detection alert is received moments before seeing a person on camera, the added situational awareness makes the event more actionable. Read Now

  • Transformative Advances

    Over the past decade, machine learning has enabled transformative advances in physical security technology. We have seen some amazing progress in using machine learning algorithms to train computers to assess and improve computational processes. Although such tools are helpful for security and operations, machines are still far from being capable of thinking or acting like humans. They do, however, offer unique opportunities for teams to enhance security and productivity. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3

  • 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. 3

  • 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. 3