EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) has implemented body worn cameras for its patrol operations.
Over the past year, ELPD administrators have conducted extensive research and evaluated all aspects of body worn cameras. Recently, eight L-3 body worn cameras were purchased for ELPD patrol use and a policy was developed. The L-3 system is the same system ELPD uses for in-car videos.
On Wednesday, Dec. 2, ELPD trained the first group of officers on the use and policy for the body worn cameras and beginning Friday, Dec. 4, the cameras will be issued to ELPD’s day and night shift patrol officers for use in the field.
Many factors, including cost, played a role in the number of cameras that were purchased and the retention schedule ELPD will have for videos. ELPD has the current storage capacity to keep all videos for 60 days and videos that are tagged for evidence purposes or other reasons will be kept for several years.
“The body cameras add another level of transparency and protection for the public and our officers,” said East Lansing Interim Police Chief Jeff Murphy. “We also felt it was important to have these cameras implemented and in the field this weekend for any issues that may arise in conjunction with the Big Ten Championship football game.”
ELPD’s remaining officers will be trained on the use and policy of the cameras at in-service training in January and February 2016. ELPD will continue to monitor and evaluate the program and, pending budget constraints, ELPD administrators plan to purchase additional cameras and associated storage in the future.