FMPD set to roll out officer body cameras

FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Fort Myers Police Department is just days away from finally deploying the body cameras they ordered months ago.

The department plans to start using them next Wednesday. Friday morning, the police union made one final attempt to delay the roll out.

“They’re absolutely rushing into it,” said union president Matt Sellers. “Today’s negotiations were not productive.”

In a meeting with Chief Doug Baker, the union once again asked that he delay the roll out of the cameras.

When turned on, the cameras will record everything an officer says and does. The union says officers still have not received enough training on the cameras and are worried what will happen if they misuse them.

“There’s documentation of officers being disciplined for not turning it on, and meanwhile being punched in the face, and recovering a gun off a violent offender,” said Sellers.

“I’ve got officers who don’t turn cameras on in their cars, or they don’t check them to make sure that they’re working properly,” said Chief Baker. “When we look at disciplinary action, we look at what is the intent of the officer, did you do this intentionally or is this a first time or second time. If there’s a history, or a pattern, that’s a problem, and we’ll deal with that through the process.”

Baker said they’ve already debated the issues and it’s time to move forward.

“When you’re running an organization that’s not a democracy, you have to make decisions that you feel is best for the organization, best for the city and best for our citizens, and you don’t count hands when you need to do that,” said Chief Baker.

The union also says they’re worried a lack of training will lead to civil lawsuits that could cost taxpayers millions. Chief Baker told WINK News he doesn’t see that happening.