WAUWATOSA — A Wauwatosa Common Council committee made recommendations Monday to the larger Government Affairs Committee on the city’s new body camera program.
The ad-hoc committee comprised of alderpersons and members of the public was focused on the policy surrounding the new $500,000 program.
Much of the committee’s time was focused on privacy concerns. First for the people recorded, and then for the video that is stored.
“If we give people miranda rights why can’t we tell people simply you’re being recorded right now” said District 5 Alderwoman Heather Kuhl.
Other concerns surrounded who would have access to the footage on file. Assistant City Attorney Hanna Kohlberg said “a handful of people, less than five will have the authority to edit or redact videos or to delete it.”
The committee unanimously voted to pass their concerns on to the larger Government Affairs Committee, so that the policies can be finalized while the cameras are on order.
City officials say every officer from the chief on down will be equipped with body cameras. They hope to have the system in place by the end of the year.
The full Common Council is expected to unanimously approve the body camera program at their meeting Tuesday night
