Carrboro Officials Approve Police Body Camera Policy

The Carrboro Police Department is one step closer to acquiring new law enforcement tools for its officers after town officials approved a policy last week on body-worn cameras.

While ruminating on the cameras during a regular meeting, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen heard from Walter Horton, the local police chief, on how these tools function.

“As more officers arrive on scene, the cameras will link up and they will automatically start once they sense another camera is going,” stated Horton.

Horton also explained that state laws govern the release of footage recorded by officers in the line of duty, with disclosure permitted only by the courts and department leaders.

“You can only disclose video — it must meet certain criteria,” he stated. “Once you meet all these criteria, the department head, which would be me in this case, will make that decision if it’s going to be disclosed.”

Despite the limitations of these cameras, Horton took a pragmatic stance on putting them to use, emphasizing that their shortcomings are more than likely to be eclipsed by their utility.

“I am for the [body-worn cameras], but they’re not going to be the end-all solution,” he stressed. “You’re going to have issues with angles, lighting, just all kinds of things, but I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”

Benefits notwithstanding, concerns regarding the influence of camera footage on written reports submitted by officers were voiced by Braxton Foushee during a public comment period.

“I think the policy is a good policy,” he offered. “My only opposition is, which has always been, [I] don’t see why that officer has to look at that recording to make his report.”

Those concerns were addressed by board member Damon Seils, who noted that officers are obligated to draft written reports before checking their accuracy against applicable footage.

“The officer won’t be able to view the video until after making a written statement,” he relayed. “First, the officer will be required to make a written statement after a delay, and only then can the officer view the video and offer an amendment to their original statement.”

The policy approved by board members dictates that cameras worn by officers must be active during traffic stops, foot pursuits, and any situation where the potential for conflict is present.

Officers are also required under the policy to announce the use of their cameras, record situations in their entirety, and document any failures to make use of their cameras when appropriate.

Policy compliance was of particular importance to board member Bethany Chaney, who requested a status report from Horton after a year of camera use by officers in the department.

“I think what I would like us to consider if we are going to adopt [the policy] is asking the chief to come back in a year and give us a report on how it’s going,” she requested. “I am specifically interested in compliance issues.”

Board members affirmed Chaney’s request when voting on a motion to approve the policy and have the town manager consult with WatchGuard Video on camera acquisitions.

The only dissenting vote came from board member Sammy Slade, who suggested that the policy is too reflective of state laws that could be interpreted as subversive.

“I feel like we’ve done a lot of good work on this policy, but I don’t feel that we have the policy, not because of the local work that we’ve done, but rather the state work that has been thrown at us to thwart what we would like to do locally,” he mused.

With the policy now in place, board members are likely to receive a price quote from WatchGuard Video as the process to outfit the department with cameras continues.

Image from WatchGuard Video.

Carrboro Officials Approve Police Body Camera Policy

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