Expect to see Chula Vista Police officers armed with body-worn cameras at the beginning of next year, as Chula Vista council members unanimously approved funding for the wireless devices.
The Chula Vista Police Department will enter into a five-year $500,000 contract with TASER for 114 body-worn cameras. Currently six officers have been testing the devices since 2010.
But the cost of the cameras is not responsible for the hefty price tag, Police Capt. Roxanna Kennedy previously said.
The price of storing the footage costs about 423,898 for five years, while the price of 114 cameras comes out to about $77,395 in that span.
The Chula Vista Police Foundation raised about $25,000 for the cameras, said Mayor Cheryl Cox.
Police Chief David Bejerano said the cameras will improve the relationship between officers and citizens.
“It builds accountability,” he said. “It really enhances the trust and partnership with our community.”
Lt. Vern Sallee said body cameras are more accurate in capturing footage than in-car cameras because in-car cameras only capture the narrow view outside the front window of a police car. Body cams capture everything within the wearer’s sight.
Sallee said the cameras are already making an impact.
He said a few weeks ago an officer got into an altercation on the street while wearing a camera.
He said the suspect was very aggressive toward the officer, which was caught on video.
He added that minor use of force was used by the officer.
Because of the camera the department was able to inspect how the officer handled the situation.
The suspect pled guilty to felony charges against the police officer, Sallee said.
“The cameras give a fantastic account as to what happened,” Sallee said.
Bejerano said a comprehensive policy as to how and when officers can use the cameras is being drafted.
The department waived the formal bidding because TASER had the best cameras in the market, Salle said.
Salle said the department tested six different camera manufactures and the department decided to go with TASER for its video quality and cloud-based storage.
The Chula Vista Police Department is ahead of the game when it comes to implementing body cameras in San Diego County.
They will be the first in San Diego County to have their officers armed with cameras.
In October, the San Diego Police Department announced body cameras will be on all of their officers before the end of 2015.
Cox said body cameras protect officers and citizens.
“I think we started talking about this last summer,” she said. “It is starting to get to a point where we can assure the residents of Chula Vista better and more accurate service, not only to protect them but to protect our officers as well.”
