The borough assembly on Tuesday evening approved a policy for use of body cameras by the Wrangell Police Department.
Under the policy, “All sworn Wrangell law enforcement employees will be issued a BWC (body worn camera) and trained in the basic operation of the camera and upload procedures. The BWC is to be worn in plain view while performing uniformed law enforcement duties.”
The policy describes situations when officers should or should not have their cameras turned on. For example, cameras must be on during arrests, traffic stops, in-progress investigations and certain other situations. Officers are not allowed to use the cameras for personal use, to record political or religious events without a connection to an investigation, or in shared restroom or locker facilities, among other situations.
“You have leeway when you’re wearing the body cam as long as you document it in your report why,” Police Chief Tom Radke told the assembly. “The question is going to be, ‘OK, why?’ Simply somebody wanting it off is not a reason.”
The Axon 3 body cameras and other equipment will cost approximately $34,000, which the borough will cover with federal CARES Act funding. The department is testing the equipment, Radke told the assembly. He did not provide a date for when the cameras would go into general use.
Assemblymember Patty Gilbert asked if the cameras had a light or anything to indicate it is on, so the public can know if they are being recorded. Radke said a light blinks when the camera is turned on, but it doesn’t stay on.
Mayor Steve Prysunka noted that having a light on the camera could be detrimental if officers are trying to be covert.
According to the policy, recordings not scheduled to be used by the police or for court proceedings will be saved for 90 days. Recordings that are deemed “evidentiary” will be saved a minimum of 10 years.
“I think it’s a good, positive step forward,” Radke said. “It’s really important that the guys are really adamant they really want it. That’s important.”
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