Body camera idea fizzles in Portage
December 01, 2015 9:00 pm
Joyce Russell joyce.russell@nwi.com, (219) 762-1397, ext. 2222
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/body-camera-idea-fizzles-in-portage/article_5990c245-ccdc-518a-8a92-a6f106f3f7ee.html
PORTAGE | The idea of outfitting city police officers with body cameras drew intense discussion Tuesday night by Portage City Council and administration members.
Outgoing City Councilman Matt Scheuer introduced an ordinance requiring the city to fund and initiate the use of body cameras by city police officers by 2019. Scheuer, who told the council at its November meeting he would be bringing an ordinance to the December meeting, said he introduced the ordinance at the request of residents.
Scheuer said he believes the use of body cameras would improve relations between police and the community, reduce frivolous lawsuits and improve civil behavior.
The measure was voted down 6-1.
Portage Police Chief Troy Williams called the introduction of the ordinance "reckless and irresponsible." Williams said the ordinance was introduced without any discussion with him or his department.
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 145 also sent a letter to the council saying it was concerned about the proposal and the council dictating policy without any input from the department.
Scheuer said he heard nothing from anyone in the last month about wanting to have any discussions about the proposal and that the council's ordinance committee did not meet in the last month for him to present the measure to the committee.
Outgoing councilman Ted Uzelac, a city police officer, objected to the idea of "creating policy through law" and fulfilling a political agenda.
While the council denied the proposal, Mayor James Snyder asked that the proposal for body cameras be forwarded to the council's ordinance committee for additional consideration.
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