"This project enhances the existing body-worn camera system utilized by the Police Department, expanding the number of perspectives on an incident where police action occurs," states a news release from Levin's office.
The vehicle-mounted cameras are designed to interact automatically with all nearby body-worn cameras when the officer driving the police car takes certain actions. The system is intended to limit human error in times of stress and ensure police policy is followed, the release states.
Police administrators have said the cameras increase transparency and accountability within the department, and help keep the community safe.
In September 2020, the Oceanside City Council approved a $1.89 million contract for its Police Department to buy 225 body-worn cameras along with maintenance, replacements and unlimited data storage for five years. Axon Enterprise, Inc., the same company that provides body cameras to most other law enforcement agencies in the county, was awarded the contract.
Oceanside was one of the first North County police departments to get the chest-mounted cameras about seven years ago. Since then, the systems have become commonplace and are widely supported by police and the public.
Earlier this year, the Carlsbad City Council approved spending almost $1.5 million to replace and expand its Police Department's 5-year-old system of automated license plate readers, installing a total of 128 fixed cameras and 24 mobile cameras.
Carlsbad also approved an agreement with Motorola Solutions to replace the Police Department's 17-year-old computer-aided dispatch, or CAD, system with a new system, including in-car video for 60 vehicles at a cost of more than $2.7 million.
Each Carlsbad police car will have two cameras, one to record the vehicle's back seat, where suspects are held, and another to monitor the road ahead of the vehicle.
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