Committee Will Consider Police Body Cameras

Chief Tommy Wright has announced the implementation of a Trenton Police Department Police Body Camera steering committee.
Over the last four plus weeks, the Trenton Police Department has been testing and evaluating police-worn body cameras.
“Body cameras promote public trust, transparency, accountability and help gather evidence,” Chief Wright said. “Additionally, they help to exonerate officers from malicious complaints and help to provide input for needed training.”
In order to ensure a more comprehensive community approach towards the possible implementation of the body cameras, Chief Wright has commissioned a community-based, 10-person committee to explore the need for the cameras and to help develop policies and procedures for their use if the committee establishes a need for such equipment.
Chief Wright said the committee is made up of two prosecutors, two Trenton Police Officers and six community members. This group is slated to meet four times with the fourth meeting being a final proposal meeting. The group will answer the following questions:
1. Is there a need for Police Body Cameras in the Trenton Police Department?
2. If the committee establishes a need, what make/brand/type/model of police body camera should be purchased?
3. If the committee establishes a need, how many should be purchased?
4. If the committee establishes a need, what incidents should be recorded by members of the Trenton Police Department?
5. If the committee establishes a need and develops a proposed make/model/brand/type, what is the final cost for the number of those cameras proposed?
6. If the committee establishes a need, how can the police department gain funding for these during the current budget cycle so that they can be implemented in an expeditious manner?
The committee meetings will be open to the public and at the beginning of each meeting will be a public comments section. Public comments and input are welcome and should focus on the questions posed to the committee. Meetings will be at the Grundy County Law Enforcement Center at 5 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning on Sept. 4 and continuing on Sept. 11, 18 and 25.
Wright said meetings should last no more than 1 to 1.5 hours.