Orland Park Officials Bullish On Implementing Body-Worn Cameras For Police Department

Orland Park IL

21 July, 2021

12:46 PM

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By Jon DePaolis, Richard Free Press: ORLAND PARK, Ill. – Orland Park police may soon be equipped with body-worn cameras after the Village Board of Trustees discussed implementing the technology during the Monday, July 19 Committee of the Whole meeting. The total cost of the five-year program from Axon is $974,999.99, with the first-year cost coming in at $189,025.91. The purchase will include 116 cameras, 11 camera docks and wall mounts, and a feature that allows for activation of the camera when the officer's firearm or taser is removed from the officer's holster. During the discussion, Orland Park Police Chief Joseph Mitchell said the implementation of the camera program is supported by law enforcement in the area. "I will tell you that I have got 100 percent backing by the unions on this," he said. "They want body-worn camera programs. They think it is going to be beneficial not only for the citizens and for prosecutions but also for the officers." Mitchell said that video currently clears officers 97% of the time regarding complaints. "They are excited about this program, because when they step out of that car and they have that camera on and they are away from that squad car, they know they are going to be protected," Mitchell said. He added that the cameras improve transparency and citizen behavior while also decreasing use of force complaints. The cameras also provide additional evidence for prosecutions. "In Cook County, if ain't on video, it's tough to prosecute," Mitchell told the board members. He also said a field study was conducted earlier this year with three different cameras, and that the officers unanimously voiced support for the Axon cameras. Mitchell pointed out one of the many desired features of the Axon cameras is the livestream capability. "I can now [use] my smartphone and pull up and see what that officer is seeing through that camera," he said. Another feature is that the Axon system has unlimited storage, so the department can always have the highest resolution possible for the cameras. "We want the truth to come out," he said. Mitchell also said that while the body-worn cameras are now mandated by the previously passed Illinois House Bill 3653, he strongly encouraged the Village Board to implement it sooner than the 2024 deadline. "It is time Orland Park has a body-worn camera program to protect our officers," Mitchell said. He added that a supplemental bill was passed that fixed some of the issues with the original bill, such as allowing officers to use the camera footage to review and write a report. There are certain exceptions, such as an officer-involved shooting. For that, the officer must first write the report, and then he or she may review the footage and write a supplemental report. Mitchell said the camera program is a big investment, "but necessary." He added that the department will continue to seek grant funding and that the department has already received about $21,000 in donations from 17 donors. After the presentation, the board members voiced support for the program. They voted 7-0 to forward on a recommendation to approve the cost at a future meeting. "This is very prudent for protecting individuals on both sides of the camera," Trustee Sean Kampas said. "We'll get to the truth a whole lot faster with this video evidence." He said he also saw the cameras as a potential training tool and liked the livestreaming technology. "We were down this path of getting these body-worn cameras long before [the state legislation] was a thing," Kampas said. "That bill slowed us down, unfortunately, because of the language that they put in there which made it extremely restrictive for us." Kampas said he was thankful that "Springfield heard us and many others and adjusted the unnecessary language in that bill, so that we can move forward on this." Mayor Keith Pekau thanked the board members and citizens who pushed back against the initial language of the house bill and got it changed after the fact. He also said he was glad to be in a position to best equip the Village's police. "When I flew, they always told us, 'Just remember: Everything you've got is made by the low bidder,'" Pekau said. "Well, I'm in a position now where I don't have to choose the low bidder. I can choose the best bidder, so that our officers have the best equipment. That's what we want to do." Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.