The use of body cameras by Lexington police officers came under review Tuesday by members of Lexington’s Planning and Public Safety Committee. The Lexington police department is seeking grant money to pay for equipping all its sworn officers and some civilian employees with cameras.
Assistant Police Chief Dwayne Holman said video footage is often not released in an open case. Council Member Jennifer Reynolds said videos can be interpreted in different ways. “Videos are very subjective. One person might see it positively. One person might see it negatively. You know, not just police footage. Any video of any type of incident at all. I’m concerned that there’s not some sort of policy that is this is how we do it all the time,” said Reynolds.
Police Chief Lawrence Weathers was asked about escalating accountability for officers when video footage is not captured. Weathers noted he doesn’t think second and third chances are always warranted. “I don’t want somebody to sit there and say, you know, this will be my first or second time. I think I’ll take two days off and I won’t activate my camera and then they do something. I’m not a big fan of that,” said Weathers.
Weathers went on to say supervisors should have the authority to penalize more severely, given the circumstances of the incident. The chief said that may include a suggestion to work in another job besides policing. Weathers told committee members, with funding in place, the distribution of new body cameras and training should occur early next year.?
The city has spent close to $3 million to support the police body cam program since 2016. Council Member Amanda Mays Bledsoe said video can help verify what happened for all involved. She noted that includes affirming police officer actions.
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