Folsom City Council approves body worn police cameras

The Folsom City Council approved a five-year body-worn and in-car camera program for the Folsom Police Department Tuesday. According to the staff report, the benefits of the camera program include the use for training and evaluation purposes, and for documentation purposes for arrests, critical incidents and interactions with victims, witnesses and other police-public encounters. Folsom Police Chief Rick Hillman said another benefit is strengthening relationships with the community. "Our police department enjoys a great relationship with our community," Hillman said in an email to the Folsom Telegraph. "Our staff works hard not to damage that relationship. We have always been a transparent organization. From our Santa Program during the holidays to our annual community BBQ with our Police Foundation and our open house, we are open about who we are and what we do. Our community respects that. I hope the addition of a camera system allows us to strengthen our openness and commitment to serving with purpose and proactively fostering positive relationships." Hillman confirmed the department has been "looking into acquiring a body-worn and in-car camera system for about seven years", and the department has not previously had an in-car system other than demo periods for a few weeks. Hillman also said they received enough body-worn cameras to outfit motor officers five years ago from the department's insurance fund, however, stopped using them three years ago when laws on releasing the data changed. According to Hillman, full deployment of the camera system is anticipated in September to allow time to receive the equipment, have in-car cameras installed into vehicles and provide officers time to train and learn about the system's capabilities. "We plan to take the time we need to deploy them properly," Hillman said. With the council's approval, the program will utilize 72 body-worn cameras, 35 vehicle cameras, 72 Taser 7s with accessories and docking stations. Hillman said two part-time, temporary employees will also be hired to handle public records requests and evidence distribution needs. According to the staff report, the program will cost $1.2 million, with a cost of $211,366.90 in the first year and $257,689.59 in the following years. The first year of program costs have been included in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 General Fund, and remaining years will be included in future budgets. "My staff is ready and anxious to get the equipment and begin using it," Hillman said. "In law enforcement, this type of equipment is now as common as a pair of handcuffs. We are happy that City Manager Elaine Andersen and Chief Financial Officer Stacey Tamagni were able to make this funding possible in their budget proposal and that the Council agreed the technology was worth the City's investment."