Lemoore police officers now wearing body cameras

By Sgt. James Chaney
Sgt. James Chaney
Sgt. James Chaney

Recently members of the Lemoore Police Department have become equipped with Body Worn Video Cameras. The cameras are worn by all members of the police department who are assigned to patrol.

The cameras are an additional tool that members of the police department can use to document incidents, record statements, and verify the activities and professionalism of officers during contacts and calls for service. The cameras also serve are a deterrent against attacks on officers since the offender’s actions and image are recorded on the video.

Police officers encounter a range of activities on a daily basis. Many times the activities or situations are somewhat hectic and there are a lot of things going on at once and many people involved. The Body Worm Video Cameras that Lemoore Police Officers wear capture many things that the officer may not have seen initially but can later, after reviewing the video in controlled environment, become aware of. The cameras also capture certain events such, but not limited to things such as the administering of field sobriety tests during DUI arrest,  objective symptoms of drug use/abuse by persons being contacted, statements being made by victims or suspects in criminal investigations, and victims/suspects demeanor during contacts with law enforcement.

The Body Worn Cameras also serve as a way for supervisors or administrators at the police department to review incidents where citizens come into the police department to file complaints concerning the conduct of a particular officer during an event. Supervisors and administrator are able to review the incident and determine if further investigation is warranted or if in fact the officer acted professional and within the policies of the Lemoore Police Department.

The cameras are a great tool to assist in maintaining the trust the Lemoore Police Department has built with its citizens over the years, especially in the recent months of distrust with other law enforcement agencies. The Lemoore Police Department has always been transparent in its partnerships and interactions with our citizens and wants to maintain the solid relationships we have enjoyed over the years.

The Lemoore Police Department has always been committed to serving its citizens and doing the very best job possible to keeping Lemoore a safe community. Lemoore Police Officers are dedicated to their jobs and on a daily basis are looking for proactive ways to better serve our community. The addition of Body Worn Video Cameras is just one of the ways our department is being proactive and progressive in these efforts.

If anyone would like to know more about these cameras or have additional questions or concerns about any issues, please contact me at the Lemoore Police Department. At 924-9574, 924-5333 (dispatch), 925-6857 (voice mail) or by email at jim.chaney@lemoorepd.com.

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