MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Police Department says it’s moving forward with a plan to buy body cameras for all officers, but no date is set when they will be operational or even if the department will include them in next year’s budget.
That’s not good enough for a state lawmaker from Memphis who’s drawing up a bill requiring al law enforcement to wear body cameras by next year.
There are still a lot of questions, but what’s clear is state and local lawmakers agree body cameras will make police and the public safer.
The tiny devices would be worn around the officer’s neck and record their every move, so there are no questions asked when they get in tense situations.
Many of you told WREG Memphis Police need to wear body cameras to protect all parties.
Director Toney Armstrong agrees, and says the department is in the process of buying them, but he’s been saying that for months.
“I want to make sure we do our due-diligence, and we cover everything as much as we could,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong said he put together a committee to sort out the details like funding, training, and software.
He wants to implement the body cameras, dash cams, and GPS in squad cars all at the same time, but he’s not giving a date when that will happen.
“The budget goes before the council next month. If there is no announcement for it, we are afraid they won’t place it in next year’s budget. That would be really disturbing,” Mid-South Peace and Justice Center executive director Brad Watkins said.
Watkins has wanted body cameras from day one, especially since Armstrong says he supports them, and last year council said there’s money for them.
“We are disappointed by the lack of communication from the department and administration with some kind of plan to move us forward,” Watkins said.
A bill created by State Senator Sara Kyle (D-Memphis) could give Memphis Police a push.
It would require all on-duty law enforcement to wear body cameras by next January.
“We brought up this bill to encourage the conversation for all law enforcement to wear body cameras,” Kyle said.
Kyle said it’s unclear if the bill will move forward or temporarily be pulled to sort out details like training and funding.
WREG is told MPD could spend around $1 million on body cameras.
