Police Union Still Has Concerns As Body Cameras Are Issued To Denver Officers
DENVER (CBS4) - On Thursday, the process of issuing hundreds of body cameras to police officers in Denver will begin.
In a $6.1 million budget plan the Denver Police Department will eventually outfit some 800 police officers with body cameras, specifically choosing officers who spend the most time with the public. Overall, that's more than half the police department.
"It's a great officer safety tool," Sgt. Bryan O'Neill, a 17-year veteran of the department, told CBS4. "Statements, evidence, scenes; all these things can be captured that can be used in prosecution of a criminal case."
With the new equipment comes questions and concerns, including from the Denver Police Protection Association (DPPA). O'Neill is the police union's vice president.
"I still think we have some issues that haven't been addressed, such as officers using them in an off-duty capacity," O'Neill said. "Should we be allowed to come into somebody's house recording?"
The DPPA filed a lawsuit against the city in November saying it failed to seek the union's input. Although they generally support the use of body cameras, the union also believes the policing tools could have serious impacts on victims, witnesses and people in crisis.
"We just don't feel that the policy is ironed out to the point where it's going to effectively protect citizens, the officers and the city," O'Neill told CBS4's Kelly Werthmann.
Yet, starting Thursday, the department will begin rolling out the body cameras. A department spokesperson told CBS4 that officers in District 6, Traffic Operations and the gang units are among the first to be issued body cameras.
"We want to make sure this is done right," O'Neill said. "We want to make sure this is well thought out. We can't plan for everything; the department can't plan for everything. There are going to be learning lessons along the way."
The Denver Police Department is expected to address the media regarding the new tools on Friday.
Kelly Werthmann joined the CBS4 team in 2012 as the morning reporter, covering national stories like the Aurora Theater Shooting and devastating Colorado wildfires. She now reports for CBS4 News at 10 and is always open to story ideas. Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter @KellyCBS4.
