Goodlettsville Police Department Now Using Body-worn Cameras
The City of Goodlettsville Police Department’s new body-worn cameras are now in use by its officers as of February 10th. Procurement of the cameras was a part of the city’s fiscal year budget.
“This new equipment will enhance the level of public trust the police department has built with the community we serve. I commend and thank our Board of Commissioners for funding the body-worn cameras in our fiscal year budget,” City Manager Tim Ellis said.
All officers were issued Taser Axon body cameras after a training seminar provided by the manufacturer. The cameras will be assigned to every patrol officer.
“We’ve taken our time and done our homework, thoroughly researching camera equipment and policies,” said Chief of Police Gary Goodwin. “We’ve learned from other police departments and organizations about best practices and mistakes to avoid. Now we’re ready to move ahead with a solid plan that will improve the safety of our city and its citizens.”
Officers will be required to activate their cameras for every law enforcement-related contact with citizens, whether officers are actively investigating or not, according to the department’s new policy. The cameras will record pedestrian and vehicle stops, motorist assists, and calls for service at businesses or homes. In addition, officers must keep the cameras rolling any time they are operating their police vehicles with lights and sirens.
The cameras will generally not be used to record while the officer is on break, communicating with another police department employee, or in a location where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as a locker room or restroom.
The original videos taken with the cameras cannot be edited.The biggest thing we think we’re going to get out of these body cameras is just establishing transparency with the community, to show them that we’re open,” Goodwin said.“ We have confidence that our officers are doing the right thing every day, and this is just another opportunity to show the community what we’re doing.”
“The cameras will also improve officers’ investigations by allowing another method of recording evidence,” Goodwin said.