The Marysville Police Department is hard at work integrating and training officers on a new body-worn camera system.
“We are very excited with the full roll out of the body-worn cameras throughout the department,” said Marysville Police Assistant Chief Jim Lawless. “This program benefits everyone, the community and the officers alike, in that it provides enhanced transparency and trust within the community by providing an accurate, neutral accounting of police and community engagements.”
The Marysville City Council unanimously approved the $1.3 million five-year contract with market-leader Axon, funded in part by a $200,000 state grant. The contract also includes new Taser© devices and an evidence storage system. MPD’s new body-worn cameras Marysville Police have been looking into adding body-worn cameras for some time, accelerated by a new state law that took effect on Jan. 1 of this year. The law requires local officers to have a video and audio recording of any interrogation that involves a felony or a juvenile. The department has 107 body cameras and 107 Taser© devices, one for every detective, police officer and custody officer. Axon body cameras can automatically start recording after certain actions, like turning on patrol car emergency lights or drawing a firearm or Taser©. The software for these cameras also allows officers to upload pictures, audio files, and video files right from their cell phone through the Axon app. Once those files are imported, they are uploaded directly into an online evidence database.
“Before this system, officers would have to take the picture, then download it to the computer and burn it onto a disc for evidence. Now we don’t have to spend staff time going through those processes,” said Assistant Chief Lawless.
The body camera system also speeds up the process of responding to file requests from prosecutors and public defenders, because it can all be done online. During the department’s pilot project testing phase, one officer reported processing evidence 45 minutes faster than usual because the video involved could be directly uploaded into the database. Police-worn body cameras have been shown to improve accountability, evidentiary outcomes and interactions between officers and the community. For access to a specific video recorded on a body-worn camera, a Public Disclosure Request can be made on the Marysville website. There are guidelines for what a request must include: The name of a person or persons involved in the incident; The incident or case number; The date, time, and location of the incident or incidents; or The identification of a law enforcement or corrections officer involved in the incident or incidents. Washington State law limits disclosure of body-worn videos in certain circumstances.
“We hope that this program continues to build upon the great relationship the department already has with the Marysville community,” Assistant Chief Lawless said.