CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Police Department is stepping into the future, by implementing new, state-of-the-art body cameras to help increase safety in the city.
Chief Eliot Isaac said the Cincinnati Police Deparment is one of the first in the nation to use the new, Bluetooth-enabled cameras. The department will use 1,000 new Axion Body 3 Next Generation Cameras, through a platform called the "Officer Safety Plan."
"Any time an officer draws his (or her) firearm -- that will automatically activate his or her body-worn camera and mobile video recording camera in the vehicle," Isaac said.
The cameras will also automatically turn on if a taser is drawn. Isaac explained that when the cameras are activated, they will vibrate to tell the officer it's on, and a flashing light will indicate the camera is recording, all without the press of a button.
"Often times, these situations are very rapidly evolving," said Isaac. "This will give them that opportunity to ensure that, if they find themselves in that situation, those cameras are activated."
The cameras are intended to improve accountability and transparency within the department.
"I think it does give the citizens confidence that these incidents are captured on camera," said Isaac.
The department acquired the cameras through part of a $20 million, 10-year contract extension with Axion. Isaac said it will help officers cut down the time it takes to upload and save body and vehicle camera footage, as well as video citizens send in.
Isaac said officers in District 3 have already been testing out the Bluetooth technology, that stores video to the cloud.
