Likely sooner rather than later a person being approached by an Ohio Department of Natural Resources officer might want to straighten the shirt collar.
And perhaps display a less intolerant posture.
The Department is readying the process of outfitting at least 227 of its law enforcement commissioned officers with body-worn cameras of the type being used by many other enforcement officers.
Body-worn cameras for law enforcement officers are not mandated in Ohio. And it is estimated that up to two-thirds of all law enforcement agencies in the state do not outfit their officers with body-worn cameras due to equipment and video storage costs.
Even so, the ODNR is moving to remove itself from the no-body-worn camera list. On August 30th, says ODNR chief of communications, Sarah Wickham, the agency received approval from the State Controlling Board to use $3.5 million in federal funds just for that purpose.
These monies are coming from the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and which can be used to purchase body cameras, Wickham says.
“The CARES Act allows states to use funding from the Fund for necessary expenditures (obtained) by the state due to the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic incurred after March 1, 2020 that were not authorized as part of the state budget,” Wickham said in her statement.
Therefore, such a request will allow the ODNR to purchase 350 body-worn cameras, “including the necessary hardware, software, and support during implementation,” Wickham says.
Whickham noted, too, that DNR officers “have been on the front-line of the pandemic with record visitation to parks, wildlife areas, forests, and nature preserves over the last year, ensuring safe recreation and adherence to new protocols.”
Consequently, such body-worn cameras “will provide critical documentation of interaction with the public to ensure the safety of both DNR officers and the visitors of state properties,” says Wickham.
“We expect that each officer would wear one, which today would be 227 officers between the (Wildlife and Parks and Watercraft) divisions. We are still working through some policy decisions that could increase that number,” Wickman said.
Related to a degree that such body-worn cameras which may be used by Natural Resources Department officers is how the DeWine Administration also has earmarked $5 million in grants funding “to help local law enforcement agencies invest in body camera equipment and pay for associated expenses,” Governor Mike DeWine’s office said.
"Body cameras are beneficial for peace officers and the public because they act as impartial eyes on events as they transpire, but most law enforcement agencies in Ohio don't have them because they can't afford them," said Governor DeWine. In his prepared remarks.
"One of my top priorities has always been ensuring that our law enforcement officers have the tools they need to best serve the public, and this new grant program will help eliminate the cost barriers associated with body-worn cameras and will contribute to a safer Ohio.”
- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net
JFrischk4@gmail.com
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