A new committee studying how to implement Columbus’ incoming program for police body cameras says it could take up to three years to fully implement the program. That's longer than the original time table proposed by Mayor Andrew Ginther.
The committee cited several factors, including adding the necessary infrastructure and costs. According to committee recommendations, only first responders, or about 1,500 officers, would be assigned cameras.
Estimates say that could cost about $8.5 million.
At a Wednesday evening public hearing, several people spoke about the timeline, which is longer than what Mayor Andrew Ginther has proposed.
“A two to three year timeline is absolutely unacceptable,” said Brian Estabrook. “The mayor is currently touring the city talking about how this is going to implemented at the beginning of the year and it's not. Not even all of the funding is allocated for it yet."
Committee Chair George Speaks says officers will be assigned the cameras in phases. That will give them time to work out any glitches and to equip stations with the fiber optic infrastructure necessary to download and store videos.
The Wednesday meeting came a week after police fatally shot Tyre King, a 13-year-old boy who police say pulled a BB gun on officers after a foot chase.
Police have defended the shooting, saying King was a suspect in an armed robbery, but have been unable to find video footage of the shooting.