Body Worn Cameras will come to Fort Bragg

Mendocino TV  broadcast live the Fort Bragg Police Department (FBPD) community forum on Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) on June 14.

The meeting, which only 8 citizens including media representatives attended, was very informative, productive and congenial.  While it is a very long shot for FBPD, who is also partnering with Willits on this grant, Officer Thomas O’Neal assured attendees that, regardless of the funding source, all California police officers will eventually be wearing cameras.

There will be a need to proactively resolve issues and design protocols and procedures before cameras arrive.  People attending were very clear about the need for citizens having an active role in this process. Major issues include when cameras should be turned on, privacy and the perceived expense of long term storage

Mendocino TV broadcast and recorded this meeting using an IPhone, which could literally be viewed worldwide.  This demonstrates how easily police could potentially stream live their data to a dispatcher using this technology. While storage costs were an issue, Mendocino TV believes that with the increase in storage technology and the decrease in costs, this too can be easily resolved.

For more information watch the video or contact Officer O’Neal at 961-2800 ext. 167 or toneal@fortbragg.com.