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Fairhope PD Gets New Body Cameras

74 views · Published 5 February 2015 · 2:14 · Indexed 3 October 2026

Channel: NBC 15 · 2015 · News & Politics

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FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WPMI) The desire to have clear evidence of what takes place in an encounter between law enforcement and the general public is why police departments across the country are now investing in body cameras. 

The latest to purchase the body cams is the Fairhope Police Department. So far Gulf Shores and Fairhope police departments are the only law enforcement in Baldwin County using the body cams.

For Fairhope it's an upgrade to an inferior model. Now every police officer will carry one.

"Some of the officers really support the idea because they have been subjected to false accusations before. They want the impartial witness that is provided by these camera systems," said Sgt. Craig Sawyer with the Fairhope Police Department.

That's a key reason why police departments, including the Fairhope Police Department, are buying into the technology.

Locally we've seen video from body cams used as evidence in the controversial murder case of Angel Downs in Gulf Shores. President Obama has asked for $263 million in funding for police body cameras and training in the wake of the shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. 

Police departments and cities that can afford the cameras like Fairhope are not waiting for Washington.

"The model that we are currently using is about an $800 camera. To purchase 36 of those was a capital expenditure but it's something we feel is worth the expense," said Sawyer. 

Different from a patrol car dash cam, the body cam is instant. All it takes is a quick turning on of the device and an easy down load process that keeps the video tamper proof as evidence.

"General patrol duties will not be recorded simply because we have limitations for data storage. If they are going to make an arrest or detain somebody, such as a traffic stop or an encounter they feel is going to be confrontational, then they will be required to turn on the camera to capture that data," said Sawyer.

The new body cams have been in use by Fairhope police for about 10 days.

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