Winona Lake Approves Policy For Police Body Cameras
February 22, 2017 at 7:19 p.m.
By Michael [email protected]
Town marshal Joe Hawn said it was good to have a written policy on record. The police department had been using cameras but this was first time the department has an official policy.
The policy mandates that an officer must record any official contact with residents. If the camera becomes inoperable or is turned off, the officer must log the reasons for disabling the recording.
Town attorney Jim Walmer said it’s good a policy. Walmer said the hardest thing to figure out is storage.
While Indiana state law requires police departments to keep footage on storage file for 190 days, Walmer said it may be beneficial to keep footage longer for legal reasons.
In other business, the council unanimously approved an agreement between the Winona Lake Parks and Recreation board and Wayne Township.
Wayne Township will provide the parks with $17,000 to help with the maintenance of a summer recreation program. In exchange, the park board will not exclude any residents or children to use the park or the summer recreation program.
The council discussed plans for an ordinance requiring residents to use biodegradable bags to dispose of yard trash.
Walmer said he has a draft of the ordinance, but issues still exist.
Tom Miller, street supervisor, said he is working with local business to try and get the cost down for residents.
Town marshal Joe Hawn said it was good to have a written policy on record. The police department had been using cameras but this was first time the department has an official policy.
The policy mandates that an officer must record any official contact with residents. If the camera becomes inoperable or is turned off, the officer must log the reasons for disabling the recording.
Town attorney Jim Walmer said it’s good a policy. Walmer said the hardest thing to figure out is storage.
While Indiana state law requires police departments to keep footage on storage file for 190 days, Walmer said it may be beneficial to keep footage longer for legal reasons.
In other business, the council unanimously approved an agreement between the Winona Lake Parks and Recreation board and Wayne Township.
Wayne Township will provide the parks with $17,000 to help with the maintenance of a summer recreation program. In exchange, the park board will not exclude any residents or children to use the park or the summer recreation program.
The council discussed plans for an ordinance requiring residents to use biodegradable bags to dispose of yard trash.
Walmer said he has a draft of the ordinance, but issues still exist.
Tom Miller, street supervisor, said he is working with local business to try and get the cost down for residents.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092