Chief Roman McKeon & Lt. Steve Killane

4/24/17 Caucus

PERTH AMBOY – Chief Roman McKeon and Lt. Steve Killane came up to explain the benefits of having every Police Officer equipped with these cameras.

McKeon stated, “Eventually, all Police Departments in the State will have these body cameras. 75% of complaints (against Police Officers) have subsided with these cameras in use. They cost money, but in the long run it will save the City in lawsuits. The cameras will stay on during the entire incidents. This is from the moment an Officer is dispatched to the scene until the incident is completed. The camera will be on a record mode and will come on automatically, even if an Officer is pushed aside. There was an award (for grants) in January to send back documents. We will have to put in $50,000 for the grant which we then will get reimbursed for. The grant will cover the initial payments of a 5-6 year contract which will be a $40,000 – $90,000 cost. The contract will cover replacement of equipment (priority) contract.”

Lt. Steve Killane said, “Police Officers in Carteret wanted this protection of the body cameras. We (the Perth Amboy Police) are young departments and they love technology involved with the body cameras.”

Sample Model of a Bodycam

Chief McKeon then spoke, “They love the extra layer of protection for the Police and the Community. People renege on some of their complaints when they see the results from the bodycams.”

Councilman Joel Pabon asked, “Will this lower our insurance costs (Having the bodycams)?”

Business Administrator Adam Cruz said, “We will be discussing this with the meeting of the JIF (Joint Insurance Fund).”

Chief McKeon also explained the reason some of the complaints against the Police have gone up. “It’s because of the young Police Force that we have.”

The Council was then shown 2 types of body worn cameras that the Department was looking at. One was issued by Smartcam and the other one is by Axon.

McKeon said, “Each Officer will personally be assigned a bodycam that they will be able to take home and recharge.”