City police equipped with new body cameras

With the recent stream of negative police publicity plaguing the nation, the question of how the incidences happening around the country may be effecting the Green River Police Department comes to mind. Interaction between the public and the Green River police force has not turned for the worse, as frequent national news stories depict across the nation.

“I think our officers contacts with residents is about the same, as far as that goes, it’s been pretty much consistent,” GRPD public relations officer Luke Benson said. “There’s been support from the public, I have heard positive feedback.”

A field officer, Corporal Bradley Halter, said in light of recent national events concerning police officers, he’s received more thank you’s from residents he comes into contact with in Green River, on and off duty.

“People have told me thanks for doing this job,” Halter said.

Green River officers’ interactions with residents has not changed.

“We have a good rapport with our citizens,” Benson said.

Something that has been a major change is the use of officer body cameras. Halter said the implementation of the body cameras is not due to recent national events, but it is where the technology was going regardless. The body cameras have been in use and been tested by the GRPD for a year and a half now. The testing stage is over now, and all officers have the same body camera.

Benson said the body camera records audio and video.

“I think its a good tool,” Benson said. “It could be used as an extension of what the video cameras in patrol car footage has been before. I think it will be a good thing.”

The in-car cameras have been implemented for over eight years now. A lesser known officer camera, the taser camera has been implemented for three years. The GRPD continually implements and utilizes new police technologies.

 

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