It wasn’t always the case over the past 21 years or so the Independent has been covering Sumpter Township, but the police department now is terrific.
For instance, three years ago the department entered into a bodycam program – and officers reportedly have embraced the technology that is used in court to show what really happened no matter what anyone says. The Independent has watched the body cam footage play out in court and it’s irrefutable.
On Tuesday, the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees approved Police Chief Eric Luke’s proposal to get new, updated body cams, since the warranties on the old cameras ran out two years ago and there have been some minor problems.
The five-year proposal, paying yearly over the five years, totals about $34,266.63. That covers new equipment, warranties, and data storage in a cloud (evidence.com) for 90 days.
“It’s just a drop in the bucket for saving liability,” Chief Luke said of the cost and the board agreed.
He reminded the board that Sumpter Township is the only police department in the area that has body cameras, although Huron Township and Romulus are working on getting them. We know Van Buren Township is studying them and Belleville is looking for a grant.
Congratulations to Sumpter PD for still being ahead of the pack.
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1 Comment
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Absolutely. Sumpter is a step ahead of the rest of the area. Van Buren Township should be highly motivated in getting these. They had the schools upgrade the radio’s on it’s fleet for emergency situations at quite a cost to the tax payers in 2009, and didn’t follow up on that technology. We DO live in a world that is changing rapidly and the need for these radio’s was a good idea. NIXLE is also a good idea. Van Buren does not issue many NIXLE alerts as well as Sumpter Township, allegedly because they are short on personnel to do it. Washtenaw County which includes many communities issues alerts daily for important situations. A safe community is one that is informed. Since the Township board is responsible for the safety department I would highly suggest that they take these things more seriously. There is a “TEXT 911” that is being implemented in many areas of our country. This is important for those who may be in a situation that they cannot talk during an incident that the police are needed. IE:kidnapping, B & E, Robberies ETC. Is Van Buren Township or Sumpter included in that up grade? Residents, ask your Board why they are not using the technology that is available and is available to protect the residents of the community. Does it cost money? YES. Do you pay high taxes? YES. Are you getting your monies worth? NO. Could this be why the Board has had so many changes in the last 12 years. YES. Any of these up grades would highly benefit the residents of the community and are needed. Demand your board to do more than investigate the possibilities. We ARE involved in the NIXLE Alert Program but fail to use it as intended. Cameras for the police officers is a necessity with the situations that are happening and ending up on the national news. Adding the TEXT 911 is especially important with the rising crime in all areas of the state, country, and township. Mr. Delaney, here’s a new subject for you to invest in. You never fail to voice your opinion. Perhaps you could get their attention. Place their attention squarely on the safety of the area and not on a name. Linda Combs did nothing while there. She continues to do nothing by pressuring for a meaningless name change.