By Bari Cohn
Staff Writer
The Hermosa Beach Police Department discussed their application for a federal grant to supply officers with body-worn cameras during the April 12 Hermosa Beach City Council meeting.
The HBPD is hoping to receive the grant in order to supply each officer with a camera to wear, however whether it will be on their uniforms or in their patrol cars at all times is still being decided. They have encouraged citizens to take surveys in which they can voice their opinions on the effectiveness these cameras would bring.
“I took the survey and thought it was incredibly helpful and could be tremendously insightful,” Hermosa Beach City Council Member Jeff Duclos said. “I am hoping more and more people get a chance to take it.”
According to the survey, 54% of citizens believed that the police patrol in the downtown plaza needs to be increased and 87% strongly supported the use of body worn cameras, because they believe it would decrease disputes between citizens and police and increase the amount of evidence that could be presented if ever necessary.
“There are already laws supporting police recording situations, for example the use of video cameras when conducting criminal investigations,” Hermosa Beach Police Department Sergeant Kevin Averill said. “A regular person wouldn’t be able to start recording what was going on in someone’s house, I’m sure some people wouldn’t be happy about that but it is the law.”
Body cameras in Hermosa Beach first became a topic of discussion in August 2015, when city council discussed how implementing them may help increase the safety of the officers and civilians. The plan for the cameras would supply each officer with their own camera to attach to their uniform. There are certain instances where officers go undercover and wear plain clothes, therefore would most likely not be required to wear one.
“The body cameras are a neutral thing, you can’t fake it,” Averill said. “Overall, I think the community would be better served if the officers were wearing body cameras.”
HBPD is currently in the research stage of the process, and does not know if they will receive the grant until June. As of now, they have identified the manufacturer, Axon cameras, to potentially supply all of the necessary materials but have made no specific plans about how the cameras will operate.
“The cameras are still going through their studies and then it’s a matter of when we can get the funding for them,” Averill said. “My preference is as soon as possible, so we can see what goes on during situations as opposed to only being able to hear the audio.”
In the neighboring city of Redondo Beach, members of the city council unanimously voted in favor of purchasing 30 body worn cameras in January 2015. In September of 2015, The Los Angeles Police Department began supplying each of its officers with body worn cameras, and estimate all 7,000 officers will have cameras by the end of 2016.
“I wouldn’t say that the the reason we started using them was because of other police departments,” Averill said. “The main consensus is we see them as being a benefit, however, it does help that other police departments have implemented the use of cameras and we now are able to see how seamless it can be.”
The Hermosa Beach Police Department has already been supplied with audio recorders and dash cams to provide the officers with a method of surveillance. According to Averill, most communication is nonverbal and the cameras will help pick up nonverbal communication, as well as allowing people to look at the officer’s point of view of things.
“The main reason driving the push for body cameras has been that they provide the best evidence out there,” Averill said. “Plus in this current day, officer’s actions are seemingly more questioned than the criminal’s actions are.”
According to the Hermosa Beach City Council Staff Report, the HBPD would use the cameras for a year to ensure they meet the departments needs, including an increase in safety for the officers as well as citizens. All of the footage would be stored for at least one year in case it was needed to provide evidence within the time frame, and would be required to be worn by all officers regardless of their position.
“Since there is a budget for this, even if we receive a grant funded, it is important that we discuss the costs and benefits for the city,” Councilman Justin Massey said. “This system of body worn cameras will make us more efficient and save money and time down the road.”
In relation to the survey that’s attached to that are those findings gonna come before council or would that be a separate item or presentation
I think its worth right, i took it and i it was incredibly helpful i thought and could be tremendously insightful for people
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