By Kellen Olshefski
Staff Writer
The Village of East Troy Board approved the purchase of eight new cameras by the Police Department at its Sept. 16 meeting.
With one village squad car being without a camera, Chief Alan Boyes brought the idea of purchasing eight new cameras that would be attached to officers’ bodies, rather than vehicle.
“I think body cameras right now, some may take it as a fad, I think in five to 10 years officers will not be without a body camera,” he said.
The cameras, part of Taser International’s AXON line, would be cheaper by at least $1,000, if not $1,500, according to Boyes.
In reference to discussions with City of Whitewater Police Chief Lisa Otterbacher, Boyes said Whitewater is using these types of cameras and while there’s some initial hesitation, Whitewater officers have really grown to like them.
According to Boyes, one of the key features of these cameras is when an officer turns and faces someone, the camera is seeing exactly what the officer is seeing.
“It’s not the squad car a block away or 50 feet off, it’s right there,” he said.
For the complete story, see the Sept. 18 edition of the East Troy Times.
