Batavia police put new body cameras to work

BATAVIA – Police officers in Batavia are now wearing cameras on their uniforms and embracing the new technology as a virtual badge, demonstrating commitment to transparent operations.

The video cameras have become standard equipment for each of the Batavia Police Department’s 41 sworn officers, just like the bullet-proof vests to which the devices are attached.

The police force went live with the new video system on May 10, and the public has already noticed the highly conspicuous cameras.

“That’s good. We want them to be visible,” Deputy Chief Shawn Mazza said. “We’re in an era of policing that’s changing.”

Last year, police Chief Dan Eul told the Batavia City Council that routine use of video cameras by all police agencies is inevitable and gained approval for a plan to equip his department. Eul said the public expects police to be wearing the cameras.

“The events of last summer jump-started the dialogue,” Mazza said.

Those events included the peaceful Black Lives Matter rally that took place on the Batavia Riverwalk, attracting roughly 1,300 people, many of whom approached Batavia police officers and asked whether the department planned to equip itself with the cameras.

“We took it seriously,” Mazza said.

Since then, a recently enacted state law will require all police to be wearing the cameras by the start of 2025.

“We’re ahead of the curve,” Mazza said. “We knew they’d be coming.”

Batavia’s officers were able to get comfortable with the cameras during a training period before the department went live.

“So far they have worked well with no issues,” Mazza said. “It’s a pretty significant piece of technology.”

Mazza is confident that the cameras will simply illuminate the job done by the men and women of the Batavia police.

“The cameras will just show how great our officers are here,” Mazza said.

The hand-size device is mounted on the officer’s vest with either a magnetic plate or a clip. The location of the camera depends on the officer’s height and preference, but the goal is to have good field of view.

Operating the camera is simple. The officer simply presses a large button directly below the camera lens to activate the device.

A flashing red light makes clear that the device is recording video and sound. A solid green light means the camera is not recording.

Around the recording activation button is an adjustable wheel with a lever that allows the officer to select the length of time the recording is to be stored.

There is a standard storage time of 90 days, but depending on the situation the officer may opt for longer lengths of time.

Officers routinely activate their cameras during any call for service, traffic stop or when making an arrest, Mazza said.

The cameras will be recording during domestic disturbance calls, or any other situation when privacy is not to be expected, Mazza said.

The recording is sent to the cloud, where it may be retrieved by the police department’s Records Division for use as evidence.

The department’s shift sergeants and watch commanders are required to review 10 random videos every month.

“This is going to be a great training tool,” Mazza said.

The camera system was acquired for Batavia police in a five-year lease arrangement with Getac Technology.

The city paid the full amount of $149,187 covering the entire lease period, Batavia Finance Director Peggy Colby said, using money from the general fund.

Getac provides the cameras and software needed to operate the system. In a couple of years the police department expects to receive new cameras as the technology continues to improve, Mazza said.