MPD Looking to Get Dash Cams

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The importance of dash cam video is prompting some Memphis city council members to request cameras for all Memphis police squad cars.

MPD has dash cams only in their interstate patrol cars and DUI units putting them in every car is something all council members can agree on.

But what they can't agree on is how to pay for it.

The use of the dash cam video helped West Memphis Police Officers get a description of cop killers Joe and Jerry Kane and the van they were driving.

After the shooting of officers Brandon Paudert and Bill Evans West Memphis P.D. shut down the interstate and later spotted the two in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

"Had it not been for these cameras I believe those gentlemen would have crossed that bridge and then they would have been in Memphis then who know s what would have happened," said Councilman Harold Collins.

Joe and Jerry were both killed after a shootout with police.

The chilling yet useful video led Council Woman Barbara Swearengen-Ware to ask the council to consider putting dash cams in all 910 Memphis Police Department squad cars.

"When I saw first hand what happened with the West Memphis officers, those cameras told the true story of how it happened and it took the controversy out of it. We need those cameras for the protection of our officers and the protection of our citizens," said Swearengen-Ware.

It is estimated that it would cost the city $5.5 million to equip every car with dash cams and pay for the maintenance and computer system that would also be required.

"It is very costly when you look at a department the size of Memphis to turn around and spend that kind of money. It is something I think you would have to implement a little at a time," said Police Director Larry Godwin.

"If a small town like West Memphis can have cameras in their cars then certainly we need to find a way we can have cameras in ours," said Swearengen-Ware.

In this years budget alone the city cut MPD overtime by $2 million and 50 squad cars were also lost causing the city to look for outside money if they move forward in adding more dash cams.
"The service out weighs the cost of it and we need to be seeing if there are grants, or stimulus funds or any other means to get those funds other than through our budget," said Swearengen-Ware.

Dash cam is also used to help officers when training for in the field surprises.

"That video will be used in training and I would think that's the way those good officers would want it so that other officers and younger officers don't make any mistakes or they do things a little differently," said Godwin.

Goodwin will be looking into finding grant money and stimulus money to help fund dash cams in all cars. The council will meet again at the beginning of next year to re-visit the issue and see how many they can start installing.