Hurst police seeking grant funding for body cameras

Police are seeking state grant funding to buy body cameras for use when officers are on patrol.

Last week, the City Council approved a resolution authorizing Hurst to apply for funds from the criminal justice division of the governor’s office to buy 56 body cameras for the Police Department.

Lt. Billy Keadle told council members that Hurst could receive $79,000 in grant funds and that the city’s cost would be around $30,000.

Hurst is testing five cameras manufactured by WatchGuard that are connected to the officers’ patrol cars.

The department can program triggers that would activate the cameras when the officer turns on the overhead lights, activates the siren or drives at a certain speed, Keadle said.

He said the cameras are already making a difference. “They capture a perspective not found on the in-car systems,” he said.

Recent police shootings nationwide and advances in technology have brought the use of body cameras to the forefront, Keadle said.

“The cameras improve accountability and transparency and also improve evidence collection,” he said.

Fort Worth and Dallas already use body cameras. Euless doesn’t have them, and Bedford Police Chief Jeff Gibson said his department is researching using them.

Arlington is also looking at using body cameras, and the City Council recently asked police to provide potential funding sources to cover costs of $2.9 million during the first year and $2.2 million annually for Police Department staff to maintain the body camera video system.

In 2015, the Legislature appropriated funds to be used through the criminal justice division of the governor’s office to help cities buy body cameras.

Hurst Mayor Richard Ward asked under which circumstances officers would use the cameras.

Keadle said that cameras are to be used only for law enforcement purposes like traffic stops and criminal investigations. They are prohibited from use in private settings, such as recording in a locker room, he said.

Officers also can use their discretion on whether the camera should be on under circumstances such as during interviews with sexual assault victims.

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Hurst police seeking grant funding for body cameras."