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Funding approved for CMPD body cams

By Jenna Deery
By Jenna Deery

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council approved spending $7 million to buy 1,400 body cameras for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, despite major concerns over how they're going to pay for it.
 
The cameras were not part of this year's budget. For that reason, many council members wanted to wait until a new budget process begins next month, but the city manager and police chief reminded them the community is depending on this.

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It is one of the most expensive requests the city manager has ever made outside of a budget cycle.
 
"There is a compelling need in terms of police and community relations to have video accessible in police and citizen contacts," said City Manager Ron Carlee.
 
Chief Rodney Monroe urged council to approve the measure and mentioned the results of a citizens' satisfaction survey that said 79 percent of citizens surveyed supported equipping officers with the body cameras.
 
"I feel that the time is here where we need to continue to capitalize on our community investment," Monroe said.
 
Several members on the council still needed to be convinced buying the cameras now is the right move.
 
Money is being pulled from four different reserve and future funds to pay for it because there is no money in the budget to cover costs.
 
"We really have not studied this as a council and I hope we never do this again," said Councilwoman Patsy Kinsey, D-District 1.
 
"There is something we are going to be able to buy less of. There is going to be pressure at some point to raise taxes. You don't just pull $7 million out of the air without consequences," said Councilman Ed Driggs, R-District 7.
 
Despite financial concerns, council members voted yes, afraid that a no vote would imply they didn't support protecting police and the community.
 
"With this vote tonight, we have the opportunity to protect our police officers and citizens at large (more) than any other action we'll take," said Councilman Kenny Smith, R-District 6.
 
There are recurring costs for the cameras, like licensing and video storage fees that will have to be added to CMPD's budget this spring.
 
Officers should have a body camera by September.
 
The cameras will be used for traffic stops, arrests, use of force and frisking. An officer can't edit or delete the video.
 
The officer can turn the camera off but has to explain why. Officers are not expected to have their cameras on during witness and victim interviews or while they are working on a criminal investigation.

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