COLUMBUS — City officials say they plan to invest $4.5 million in body-worn cameras for police and require officers use the cameras correctly.
Thursday’s announcement comes after the fatal shootings by law enforcement of two black men, Andre Hill and Casey Goodson Jr., by white law enforcement personnel.
Both killings raised questions about how bodycams are used by law enforcement in the city.
Mayor Andrew Ginther says officials will update the bodycams of city police so they will record without needing officers to activate them.
City Council plans a law that would ensure officers use bodycams accurately and help victims after they use force on them.
Goodson was shot on Dec. 4 by a Franklin County sheriff’s deputy, who were not required to wear body cameras. The county commissioners have approved $2.5 million in funding for the Sheriff’s Office to purchase the cameras.
Hill, 47, was shot on Dec. 22 by a Columbus police officer who did not turn on his body camera until after the shooting, though his actions were caught on video by the cameras “look back” feature.
The officer in the Hill shooting was fired for failing to turn on the camera and for not rendering aid while Hill lay dying.
“Andre’s Law” would require officers to administer first aid when they shoot someone.