Batavia police officers to wear body cameras

BATAVIA – Police officers in Batavia are expected to be wearing cameras starting early next year.

Batavia police Chief Dan Eul told aldermen on Tuesday that in the wake of high-profile incidents across the country involving the use of force by police, the public has made clear it wants officers equipped with body-worn cameras for the sake of transparency and accountability.

Aldermen directed the city staff to draft an agreement between the city and a technology provider for a five-year lease as recommended by Eul.

The city would pay Getac Technology $140,000 over the length of the lease to provide the cameras, software, cloud-based storage and other support to operate the system.

All of the department’s 41 sworn officers would be equipped with the body-worn cameras.

“This is a necessary step we have to take forward,” 2nd Ward Alderman Alan Wolff said. “This is the reality of the service.”

“When the public has faith in law enforcement the community is safer,” said 2nd Ward Alderman Marty Callahan, a former police officer, speaking in favor of cameras for officers.

“It’s not even a question anymore,” Callahan said. “It’s just a matter of money.”

The money is available, Eul said.

“There are unexpended funds still remaining within the police department budget due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly in our overtime and Tri-Cities Services accounts, that could be re-purposed to this effort,” Eul told aldermen.

City Administrator Laura Newman agreed that the money is available and it is better not to wait to implement use of the cameras.

“I think we want to be a leader in this regard,” Newman said.

Getac Technology was selected in part because Batavia squad vehicles are already outfitted with service provider’s mobile data tablet and can be integrated with the body cameras. Getac also submitted the lowest bid, Eul said.

It is only a matter of time before the body-worn camera becomes a mandatory piece of equipment for any police officer in Illinois,” Eul said.

Aldermen needed no persuasion to move ahead with the camera plan.

“It protects our officers and our citizens,” 7th Ward Alderman Keenan Miller said. “It shows transparency. It shows how police departments should be.”