Aurora police get body-worn cameras, new dash cams for squad cars

Aurora cops are actually sporting cameras on their our bodies and cameras inside squad automobiles are getting an improve, too.

Two years in the past this month, what began out as a peaceable protest in Aurora over the George Floyd verdict became a full-scale riot with destruction and looting within the downtown space. Aurora police have been overwhelmed.

Many of the video of what transpired got here from non-public safety cameras or cell telephones. Police say if it occurred immediately, it will be completely different as a result of all their officers are actually outfitted with physique worn cameras.

“The fact nowadays is, seeing is believing,” stated Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross.

Whereas many different departments within the space, together with Chicago, have had body-worn cameras for a while, Aurora held off till this yr. The division spent greater than $4 million on a system that features sprint cameras for squad automobiles and alerts on Tasers that activate the cameras when an officer makes use of it.

Police even have the power to drag up stay pictures from the cameras to allow them to monitor creating conditions, such because the riots and even the mass capturing on the Henry Pratt Firm that killed six individuals together with the gunman three years in the past.

The system may even enable officers to gather video from non-public companies and residents and put it into the system.

“It additionally provides our officers a layer of safety in opposition to false accusations,” Cross stated.

However that might additionally work the opposite means. Cellular phone shot by a witness two years in the past allegedly exhibits an officer smashing a driver’s automotive window. It is a part of a federal lawsuit alleging extreme drive in opposition to Aurora officers throughout a site visitors cease. The officers had no body-worn cameras at the moment.

“We can’t be in all places and can’t see the whole lot,” Aurora Police Deputy Chief Matt Thomas stated. “The group is significant in getting the proof to guard the individuals we serve.”

Police say they anticipate to have all 150 squad automobiles outfitted with these sprint cameras by the tip of the month. They hoped to have it executed sooner, however they are saying they have been unable to get chips for them due to the pandemic, which brought on the delay.