Mundelein becomes latest police department to test body cameras
Mundelein police started evaluating a first batch of various brands of body cameras on Friday, with a decision about which to use expected early next year.
The testing began with two officers on each of the department's three shifts.
"We took volunteers first but, eventually, everybody will use the cameras," Deputy Chief John Monahan said.
Several vendors will be considered through the end of the year, with a new provider being tested every two or three weeks, Monahan added.
"Three months will give us enough time to evaluate what we like and what we don't like," he said.
During a village board public safety committee meeting in August, Chief Eric Guenther pitched a plan to equip officers with body cameras, saying that, among other benefits, the cameras would promote officer safety and accountability. Trustees didn't vote at the time but appeared supportive of the idea.
"This is something the public expects and we look forward," to having, Monahan said. "The consensus is it helps with transparency," he added.
More suburban agencies are moving toward using body cameras. Last month, the Lake County sheriff's office announced it had received $73,000 in federal funding to purchase 292 body-worn cameras for deputies. The Chicago and Elgin police departments were the only other two Illinois agencies awarded funding for the test program.
According to Lake County Undersheriff Raymond Rose, both the public and police officers will benefit.
"Law enforcement is under tremendous scrutiny in an age where every action taken can be dissected in an instant; this now gives us the ability to both teach and learn while at the same time enhance mutual trust which is necessary for us to be successful in our mission," Rose said at the time in a news release.
At the public safety committee meeting, Guenther estimated the cameras and storage equipment could cost between $50,000 and $60,000. Monahan said there is a wide range of equipment, capabilities and costs. The purpose of the evaluation is to gauge the options.
"I don't think we're going to strictly rely on what's the cheapest," he said.
Round Lake Park also is proceeding with a plan to equip all 13 of its officers and six vehicles with devices intended to provide the best images available.