Cody PD Implements Body Cam System

The Cody Police Department has a new set of tools to use to keep both officers and citizens safe – and accountable.
This last week, the law enforcement agency began using an integrated body camera and dash camera system. The department has had an in-car camera system since 2007, which was scheduled to be replaced last year – but Chief Chuck Baker says that the additional year allowed them to research and budget for a system that would use both the in-car camera and the body cameras.

Although Baker says there haven’t been very many complaints made by citizens against the law enforcement officers that would require the use of body cameras, the videos captured by the cameras will be used for quality control monitoring, and to determine if there are training needs for the officers. He adds that the cameras themselves can also help keep tense situations under control.

Baker says there are limitations on the camera systems – first, the camera doesn’t follow the eyes of the officer, so it doesn’t register all the danger cues that officers can pick up. However, it also sees better in some instances, particularly in low light situations, which means that the officers may not see something in the moment that the video will play back later. Even with the limitations, however, Baker says that the new system will be a valuable tool for the department.