WILMINGTON (KYW Newsradio) — The City of Wilmington is on its way to having its entire police department equipped with body cameras.
The plan has had many starts and stops over the years, and is now on its way to becoming a reality.
"What we want to do is increase transparency," Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki said about the idea behind the police department's body worn cameras.
"The recording of events is going to benefit the public, for those who want to be able to say 'I think this needs review,' and for the officers who believe that what they did was thoroughly appropriate. I think everybody's finally at the point where they want to see these cameras in place.“
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Police officers including command staff, specialized units and those assigned to administrative functions are each being trained and outfitted with a body-worn camera (BWC). The goal, says the mayor, is to have the body camera program fully operational by June.
"We want the public to understand how our police officers conduct themselves, and certainly we want accountability for those who violated the trust, and the best way to do that is to have a record of what goes on, what transpired in our neighborhoods," said Purzycki.
City council president Ernest “Trippi” Congo says in 2008, the idea of BWCs was introduced in Council. That idea didn't gain traction.
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In 2016, the police department had a pilot program which was stalled, and in 2019, Congo proposed legislation as well.
"Most of the push back was financial. I think the police department didn't want to have cameras, so they just gave excuse after excuse," said Congo.
"We made it happen, so I'm definitely thankful for Council and to the administration."
With the help of a $630,000 federal grant and a budget amendment last fall, the roll out is finally materializing.
Both the mayor and city council president agree that transparency is vital for the police department and the community, especially after last summer's unrest following a George Floyd protest in downtown Wilmington.