Cameras Returning To Algood Police Vehicles After Council Approved Purchase

Cameras are returning to fleet vehicles of the Algood Police Department for the first time in some four years.

The Algood City Council approved the purchase of seven cameras. Police Chief Dale Armour said past gear became outdated, and work on this year’s budget shined light on the need.

“It gives accountability to the officers, and it gives protection for the public, and it also gives us capability of collecting an extra set of eyes for data for like a DUI stop,” Armour said.

Armour said the dual cameras will have two angles one focused on the front of the vehicle and one in the cabin. Armour said he expects the gear to be in use by next month.

“I’ve already been in contact with the dealer,” Armour said. “We’re working out a schedule right now. The plan is we will drop a car off overnight and they will install the cameras. We will continuously rotate them.”

More cameras are likely on the way in future. Armour said the department only got seven for now to match the city’s fleet plan. Armour said as new cars are added in each year, a camera will be included.

“There’s a cost involved to install these cameras, so we didn’t feel like it would be worth it to put cameras in a car that we were going to rotate out in the next six months,” Armour said.

Armour said about 18 cars make up the current fleet. The cars that receive the cameras are usually the most used, Armour said.