The North Royalton Police Department will soon be fully functioning with the assistance of body cameras and dash cams. North Royalton Police Chief Ken Bilinovich said that the cams are expected to be up and running by the middle of July.
Training for the new cameras began in early July, after the new standard operating procedures were completed by the Lieutenant in charge, according to Bilinovich. He said that the officers will have the cams turned on from roll call until the time they come back. “There will be no time when it will be shut off, except for certain situations, such as going into a home or with a juvenile.”
An ordinance was introduced after several discussions in the Council Finance Committee last year, where three options were narrowed down to one. It was unanimously adopted by the newly elected City Council in January. The ordinance adopted authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Utility, Incorporated for body worn camera and vehicle video and communications systems for an amount not to exceed $247,100. The city will obtain the equipment, training and support without bidding in conformity with the single-source procurement police of the Department of Administrative Services.
The agreement provides for Bodyworn Camera, Vehicle Video and Communications Systems to support a total of 35 officers, 15 vehicles and one interview room for a period of five years. The BodyWorn is based on Cloud technology, the cams secured to the officer’s uniform and using artificial intelligence, can detect, through programming, if an officer is using their siren, is running or if they take out their weapon. It can also alert if an officer is down. Every officer will be equipped with a camera and mount; combination of BodyWorn Ready Uniforms, not to exceed $200 allotment credit per officer; unlimited existing uniform retrofits within 90 days of hardware per officer, one holster activation sensor; one bluetooth BodyWorn wrist/belt trigger; and a variety of licenses and unlimited download and storage. It will also include installation and training and a full warranty. Hardware, technical support and warranty are also being provided for the fifteen vehicles and the interview room.
The cameras cost the city $49,420 a year for five years at zero percent interest and were included in the 2020 budget, funded through the Police Department’s Law Enforcement Fund.
“I think it will be a valuable tool to protect our policemen and their interactions with their dealings with the public,” stated North Royalton Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer