Body Cameras Approved for CMPD
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CHARLOTTE, NC — The Charlotte City Council will spend more than $7 million on 1,400 body cameras for CMPD officers.
It’s a huge expense for the city, and one that comes outside the normal budgeting process. That was an issue for several council members.
“We should buy the cameras,” said council member Patsy Kinsey. “I have absolutely no problem with that. I have a huge problem with doing it outside the budget process.”
That was the heart of the issue as the city took on the multi-million dollar request.
“I believe we need to do body worn cameras for our officers, and any citizen that has the encounter with an officer is going to expect it,” said City Manager Ron Carlee.
No one was arguing the need for officers to have body cameras, especially in light of recent events across the country, and incidents like CMPD officer Wes Kerrick’s shooting of Jonathan Ferrell.
The issue was whether the city should fund cameras under extraordinary circumstances, and outside of the normal budgeting process.
“I’m going to support the cameras if that’s my choice,” said council member Ed Driggs. “I feel that’s how we have to go. But I do want to register that this buy it now, pay later sort of approach is something outside of our budget process and should be avoided.”
That process will see the city pay more than $7 million over the next five years. The biggest chunks are in the first two years, for the purchase of the camera equipment, then storage for all the video they will provide.
“I feel that the time is here where we need to continue to capitalize on our community investment, and look to move forward in this area,” said CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe.
After about an hour of debate, the council approved the motion unanimously.
“I commend you for the work you did on this item tonight,” said Mayor Dan Clodfelter. “It got a lot more attention than many budget items get during the course of the normal budget cycle.”
The city will buy the 1,400 cameras from Taser International as part of a 5-year contract.
CMPD plans to have the cameras by March. Training and deployment will take six to nine months.
