Campus security adopts body camera policy
Photo by Rhianna Burrow
Under the direction of Matt Brinkman, Campus Security has adopted a policy requiring officers to wear body cameras to more efficiently serve and protect students. This policy went into effect at the onset of the new academic year.
Each officer is assigned a body camera with a specific serial number, and they are required to wear it throughout each shift. The camera records each interaction they have with students, employees and residents, allowing for a system of evidence preservation and accountability.
The video footage is stored on a secure server only senior administrators can view. A subpoena is required if the footage is requested for court documentation.
“When I was a police officer at the City of Cleveland, I was required to wear a body camera on my person whenever I was on shift. It was a great tool to have and provides an indisputable record of the truth,” said Brinkman.
According to Brinkman, this policy has been in the works for a long time.
“When I came over to Campus Security, I knew that I wanted to implement the same wearing of cameras. However, at the time, cameras were very expensive and just cost-prohibitive,” said Brinkman. “Now that the market is more saturated with technology for law enforcement, it allowed us to purchase them at a fraction of what the cost was even five years ago.”
Senior public relations major Madi Rosenthal thinks the implementation of body cameras is a good idea.
“Anyone in a position such as this should be required to wear functioning body cameras at all times,” said Rosenthal.
Junior middle grades education major Hannah Broome said, “The body cameras make me feel better — for their accountability. I think [officers] should have that high level of accountability.”
The security officer training program has recently undergone a total change.
“Back when I came to serve as director, there was no real official training that occurred for new officers. They were hired in and given keys and told to go and protect,” said Brinkman.
According to Brinkman, all officers are now CPR, first aid and AED certified. They are also trained in tactical medicine, active shooter response, investigations, critical incident response, blood-borne pathogens, communications, intrinsic bias, report writing, professionalism, ethics and responding to emergency scenes.
To begin regular patrol duties, officers must now complete training in each area and be approved by the supervisor.
The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office is also moving forward in equipping personnel with body cameras.
According to the Cleveland Daily Banner, the Law Enforcement Committee made the recommendation at the county commission meeting last week, and the committee’s chairperson, Commissioner Erica Davis, placed the item on the agenda for the Oct. 19 voting session.
For more information about campus security, including crime statistics, Title IX information and ticket appeals, visit the Campus Security website.
