New Body Cameras On The Way For Gainesboro PD

The Gainesboro Police Department getting six new body cameras through a lease agreement.

Assistant Chief Mickey Smith said the cameras will be used by four full-time officers and a part-time officer.

“It just makes it a whole lot safer for the officer,” Smith said. “It shows if the officer does anything wrong, so if we get any complaints, we can go back and watch their cameras. It also helps with cases such as DUI cases.”

Smith said the gear replaces cameras from 2015. Smith said the upgrade means the department will have cloud capabilities so the video can be viewed from anywhere. The department is currently testing two of the cameras before full installation.

“All the videos used to be kept in-house on a computer, and these are kept in the cloud,” Smith said. “It also has a time stamp to show when, so we can keep up with them in the evidence log.”

The $3,600 yearly lease agreement will partially be paid through grant funding this year. Smith said the equipment will have to be budgeted for next year. The last camera will be for a fifth officer if one is hired.