The Springfield Police Department will soon be reimbursed nearly $53,000 after being awarded a grant for new squad car video camera systems.
Currently there are a few vehicles that are equipped with cameras, but the new batch will add to the arsenal.
Police Chief Robert Williams says new cameras will be installed in 10 different squad cars to reinforce patrol efforts.
The camera systems are activated when police turn on their lights and sirens. There will also be high quality audio recording with the new devices.
The video compiled by the cameras will be used as evidence in active cases but won’t be kept indefinitely. Williams says his department will work with the Corporation Counsel’s office to ensure the proper procedures are followed when maintaining the video data.
The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board awarded the Springfield Police department the grant to purchase the camera units from Watch Guard Video, a leading vendor for police camera technology.
