The Northville City Police Department has upgraded patrol car vehicle cameras and each officer on patrol now wears a camera that records both audio and video of every encounter. While citizens are not expressly told they are being recorded on video during the encounter with officers, a red light goes on when the camera is active.
Members of the Northville City Council approved the purchase of six vehicle cameras and 13 body-worn cameras, along with an internal on-site server for video storage and high-tech software. The new equipment had been tested for several months prior to purchase and was initiated in October.
The cameras provide greater transparency of police interactions, officials noted. They are also used in training sessions for officers to show the do's and
“The cameras make officers more accountable,” said Northville City Police Department Chief Alan Maciag. “They realize their actions and words are being recorded. It helps with citizen complaints to have video and audio of an incident. It gives us a first-hand account of what happened.”
Vehicle cameras take video of the scene directly in front of the vehicle and simultaneously capture a panoramic view of the front, without the need to switch settings. Another view is taken of the back seat. The previously used technology did not provide panoramic views, which contain more detailed information about the setting and activity, officials noted.
The vehicle and body-worn cameras are synced - both in the vehicle and when viewing videos on a monitor. In the vehicle, the body-worn camera is activated when an officer turns on the overhead lights or touches the push-button start. The body-worn camera also serves as the microphone in the vehicle.
When watching the scene on a monitor, views from body-worn cameras can be shown next to those of vehicle cameras. This provides more information about the scene and encounter. What one camera misses may appear on the other view. The videos can also be viewed independently of each other.
Videos can be reviewed as needed, officials said.
There are times when video redacting is needed to obscure personal information, such as a driver's license, computer monitor or cell phone screen as well as faces of innocent bystanders and minors which is accomplished using new redaction equipment.
To view a video, citizens must file a FOIA request and there are restrictions defined by PA 85, the Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Privacy Act (2017). In general, a citizen can only request a copy if they are in the video or are the parent or legal guardian of a child who appears in the video. The public act also contains provisions related to the Crime Victim's Rights Act. There is a charge for the time it takes staff to retrieve, redact and provide the video.
In the courtroom, videos are admissible by a judge. The videos provide additional evidence for trials and hearings.
There are some limitations to the camera. How an officer positions his or her hands can obscure the view from the body camera, such as when handing over or accepting a document, or aiming a gun. If there's a physical altercation, the camera will most likely show blurred action, officials said.
Cost of the new equipment was $64,233 and the cameras were procured through the Oakland County bid process. The cost was reduced by $14,554 with a grant from Michigan Municipal Risk Management Association (MMRMA). The software/hardware component of the system cost $15,540, with purchases from I.T. Right and CDW-G. The total equipment and software costs, with warranties, and after the grants were applied was approximately $65,000, according to a prepared statement from the city.
