Fort Wayne residents say body cameras are a step in the right direction

Fort Wayne residents say body cameras are a step in the right direction

Fort Wayne City Council approves body cameras for Fort Wayne Police to wear on their standard uniforms.

Fort wayne city council approves body cameras for fort wayne police to wear on their standard uniforms.so far we have an idea of how they'll be implemented, but how beneficial are they?fox 55's jentill neal talked to kendallville's police chief about how body cameras are working for them.

Jentill?

Kendalville police department has had their body cameras for two years now.

All nineteen officers and have them and wear them with their standard uniform.police chief lance waters says they are simple and effective.

When fort wayne city council was looking at implementing body cameras for fort wayne police, there were a few concerns from people about use, privacy, and cost- but either way audrey germain thinks it's worth it if it saves lives.>00:55:14-00:55:22 "police officers are getting shot and getting a bad rep, and it's really important that they get the evidence that's required so they can clear their names."it's been two years since kendalville got their getac body worn cameras.

And even though they got to the department before chief lance waters did- he's glad to have them.>00:44:11-00:44:32 "our officers love them.

They have not had issues with them.

Storage and use of the devices is very simple and we pay for cloud storage of the data that is collected anytime the devices are used."

The cameras are manual..

The officers are responsible for turning the camera on and off.

They're required to be on while on duty.within the two years, waters says there have been minor glitches where they've been knocked off the uniform, but as far as the devices capturing video- no issues.> police say not only are the body cameras beneficial for them but for the public as well.00:48:33-00:48:59"it's a really nice tool to be able to show the courts and juries what it was really like at that time.

It gives them a better perspective of what the officer saw and experienced."

Like germain..

Emily and jonathan hutchinson think it will be a good fit for fort wayne.00:57:24-00:57:28"fort wayne is a growing city and i think it protects everybody.

It keeps the cops honest and also keeps the citizens honest as well."

As far as the body cameras coming to fort wayne 100 officers will be wearing them during the trial period.

That trial period is expected to be complete by december of this year.reporting live jentill neal... fox 55 news.

3