COLUMBUS – The state is doling out more than 4.5 million for body-worn cameras for law enforcement agencies in over 100 cities and towns.
While officers in Columbus aren’t on the list, since the city has funded the body-cam program, they are getting a new look.
Police departments in Hilliard, Newark, Upper Arlington and Whitehall are among 109 agencies sharing in $4.7 million from the state for body-worn cameras to begin or maintain body-cam programs, according to the office of Gov. Mike DeWine.
While 60 agencies will dedicate use their grants to expand or upgrading existing technology, the remaining 49 will use the money to create new body-worn camera programs, DeWine’s office said.
The In total, the funds will help agencies purchase around 1,700 new body cameras, as well as computers, software, video storage, and other equipment.
The Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program sets aside $10 million for body-cams in the state’s 2022-2023 operating budget, which was passed by the Ohio General Assembly last year.
Columbus officers get new uniforms
A new uniform option for Columbus officers will still have a place for them to wear their body-worn cameras.
The new uniform, allowed for everyday use, consists of a navy button up shirt or external vest carrier over a navy base shirt and an optional navy ball cap. Both the shirt and vest feature an embroidered badge on the left and the officer’s last name and badge number on the right, Division of Police spokesman Sgt. Joe Albert said.
Officers and sergeants will be required to wear the new uniform while lieutenants and higher-ranking personnel will have the option to wear it or the traditional Class A white uniform.
Consisting of a long sleeve white shirt with metal nameplate and breast badge, black tie, and white eight-point hat, the Class A uniforms are reserved for ceremonies, funerals, other formal occasions, or when approved by the Chief of Police.
Depending on their assignment and job duties, higher ranking supervisors may opt to wear a Class C uniform: a short or long-sleeve white shirt with metal nameplate and breast badge, optional black tie, and white hat.