Police chief will want public feedback on body camera policy

The police department wants to get public feedback before its officers start wearing body cameras. The borough assembly took a first look at a draft policy for using the sound and video recording devices at its meeting April 27. The policy is under review by the borough attorney before it can go out for public comment.

“This is kind of a document in motion,” Police Chief Tom Radke told the assembly. “We’re looking forward to community input. I think the community really needs to be involved in this process as we roll it out.”

Radke reviewed the policies of numerous communities across the country in drafting the rules for Wrangell.

“All sworn law enforcement employees will wear a body-worn camera in plain view while performing uniformed law enforcement duties,” the draft says. Officers will use the cameras in encounters with the public where there is “reasonable suspicion” of criminal activity, or in any other encounter with the public that becomes adversarial.

The policy also outlines scenarios where the cameras should not be turned on: To record political or religious events, to infringe on someone’s privacy, or in medical facilities, among other situations without a clear connection to an ongoing investigation.

According to the draft policy, recordings made with the body cameras are to be uploaded at the end of every shift, unless a supervisor decides otherwise. Recordings not scheduled for use by the police or in court proceedings will be saved for 90 days. Otherwise, if to be used as evidence, they will be saved a minimum of 10 years.

Mayor Steve Prysunka said he is eager to see the body cameras rolled out for use by the department.

“Everybody thinks it’s about catching the police doing something bad, but 99% of the time it actually helps police in terms of rolling out what really happened,” he said. “When emotions are high, memories get skewed. I really like this, I think it’s an excellent thing and I’m glad we’re moving forward.”

The assembly agreed last October to buy Axon Body 3 cameras and digital-recording storage equipment, at the cost of about $34,000. Borough Manager Lisa Von Bargen said the money came from federal CARES Act funds the city received through the state.

The department is purchasing seven cameras, and associated equipment, over a five-year period.