LAKEPORT >> Earlier this year, the Lakeport City Council authorized funding to purchase additional and replacement Mobile Audio Video (MAV) units to deploy in all marked Lakeport Police Department (LPD) vehicles and body cameras for all sworn LPD staff.
“Although we have been using MAV units in vehicles for a number of years, the body cameras are new equipment for us and will extend and enhance our ability to capture video footage of officers conducting their work when outside of their vehicles and not in range of the MAV units,” LPD Chief Brad Rasmussen stated. “Additionally, the use of body cameras is intended to enhance the mission of the department by accurately capturing contacts between members of the department and the public. We believe that the cameras will be particularly beneficial in those situations where officers are being threatened or physically assaulted or situations where persons are resisting arrest or being confrontational with officers. This year we have had numerous incidents of officers being assaulted and subjects resisting arrest.”
Lakeport police management worked with the Lakeport Police Officers Association in implementing department policies and procedures for use of the body cameras, which is separate and has differences from the department”s current policies and procedures covering MAV units, Rasmussen stated. The LPD began issuing body cameras to officers and training them in their use on Friday.
After researching different camera systems, the department elected to purchase body camera units known as BODYCAM by PRO-VISION of Byron Center, Michigan. These units have a 170-degree wide-angle view, infrared night vision, 1080P HD video with audio, 32 GB of video storage and wireless remote control activation. Further information can be found at www.bodycameras.com.
For more information contact acting sergeant, Gary Basor, or Mike Sobieraj at 263-9656 or email atgbasor@lakeportpolice.org or msobieraj@lakeportpolice.org.
