UPDATED: Hillsboro police chief hopes city council will support body-worn cameras, school resource officer

The Hillsboro Police Department applied for, and received, a grant from the Department of Justice, through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in 2014 to implement body-worn cameras (BWCs). The matching grant requires the police department to pay for 50 percent of the project.

The cameras are described by the DOJ as “a law enforcement strategy aimed at improving public safety, reducing crime and improving public trust between police and the citizens they serve.”

“Some preliminary evidence indicates that the presence of BWCs helps strengthen accountability and transparency, and can assist in de-escalating conflicts, resulting in more constructive encounters between the police and members of the community,” according to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (https://www.bja.gov/funding/BWCPIP16.pdf).

“BWCs can be highly effective, providing an objective audio and visual record of interactions that can capture empirical evidence in the event of a crime, police-citizen interaction, or use-of-force incident. Preliminary research indicates that departments that have effectively implemented BWC programs have received fewer public complaints, file fewer use-of-force reports, and show a reduction in adjudicated complaints resulting in a decrease of settlements.”

A recent report in The Columbus Dispatch (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/10/23/early-adopters-praise-police-body-cameras.html) said that police body cameras are winning praise in Ohio communities that have them.

Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera has been discussing body-worn cameras with the Highland County Board of Commissioners in recent weeks, as well.

In a meeting with Hillsboro Police Chief Todd Whited on Thursday, Dec. 8, the chief said he had concerns that some Hillsboro City Council members may not be aware of the department’s body camera grant – since it was unpublicized – and, that as the city plans its 2017 budget, the cameras may be discontinued. Whited said that would be a bad idea and there would be very little savings to the city.

According to the Axon and TASER body camera websites, more than 90 percent of the public interviewed as part of an annual Public Attitude Survey said that the law enforcement body cameras improve accountability and prevent false allegations against officers.

According to Whited, three cameras are worn per shift, with Hillsboro police officers sharing these cameras. They have looked into implementing as many as 12 cameras, Whited said.

“This is a great tool for transparency and decreasing the risk of departmental liability,” Whited said.

Hillsboro was one of just three agencies in the state to receive the federal body-worn camera award, earning an $11,018 grant. The other agencies were Cincinnati ($600,000) and Shawnee ($6,727).

The Department of Justice has contributed over $41 million in funding for the body camera initiative throughout the country in the past two years, awarding 179 awards out of the 492 applications submitted. An estimated 38,120 body-worn cameras have been provided to law enforcement agencies.

The Hillsboro Police Department has a memorandum of understanding with the county regarding the program, the department said. A records retention policy is in place for all videos recorded through the department's cameras.

• Whited also expressed concerns that Hillsboro City Schools resource officer Tim Bell’s position may be eliminated at the district.

“The school district pays half of his salary and he builds good relationships with the students and families,” Whited said. “It’s an important position for the school district and community. I would hope that it continues.”

Hillsboro City Council will meet in special session on Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Court located at 130 Homestead Avenue, Hillsboro, to consider the 2017 Budget. The meeting is open to the public, but no other business or public comment will be heard, according to the city. Council members include: Dick Donley, Lee Koogler, Bill Alexander, Justin Harsha, Rebecca Wilkin, Tracy Aranyos, Ann Morris and Claudia Klein.