CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland police officers will have body cameras affixed to their riot gear during the Republican National Convention this month.
The Arizona company TASER International says it will loan 300 mounting units to the city that will allow officers to attach the body cameras to their riot gear to record interactions between police and the public. The company says the offer wasn’t solicited by the city.
The four-day convention beginning July 18 is expected to draw tens of thousands of people — including thousands of protesters.
The city plans to bring in thousands of officers from police departments across the country to help with security. A Cleveland police spokeswoman tells Cleveland.com that it will be up to those departments to determine whether their officers will wear body cameras.
Cleveland also plans to spend $9.5 million to buy $50 million in insurance to cover it against claims for incidents during the convention.
Cleveland’s Board of Control on Wednesday approved buying various policies through a broker that recommended the city increase its planned coverage. The board in March approved spending $1.5 million for $10 million in coverage.
City Finance Director Sharon Dumas says the threat of terrorism and volatility during the Republican primary campaign caused broker AON Risk Services to issue a higher risk assessment. She says AON polled 40 insurance companies before recommending the increased coverage.
The Republican National Committee requires insurance coverage during its conventions. Dumas says policies will be paid for using the city’s $50 million federal convention security