Columbus police body camera upgrade: City Council to allocate funds (OH)

Columbus police body camera upgrade: City Council to allocate funds (OH)

Columbus Police officer Robert Barrett shows off the Panasonic police body camera during a press conference at Columbus Police Training Academy in Columbus, Ohio on August 8, 2016. Columbus Police began upgrading the body camera technology in 2021.

The Columbus City Council is expected to vote Monday on spending $4 million for new police body cameras, in-car cameras, and interview cameras to upgrade the division’s technology.

The city is not selecting a new vendor yet, but it is setting aside money for the system upgrade. The city will go through a procurement process before selecting a vendor.

In January, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced that that city would invest at least $4.5 million in upgrading and replacing the cameras that officers now wear…

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted Announce Proposal to Provide $250 Million to Law Enforcement, First Responders (OH)

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted today announced details of a new proposal that would invest hundreds of millions of dollars into initiatives to protect Ohio’s citizens from violence and support first responder resilience and recovery.

The proposal would award $250 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to state and local first-responder agencies to counter increases in violent crime and to mitigate impacts to staffing levels and first-responder wellness caused by the COVID-19 pandemic…

Taking on mental health emergency calls amid the pandemic in Colorado Springs (CO)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many people. Those who work in 911 communication centers say they are feeling and hearing it.

While many calls are crime related, mental and behavioral health calls are also coming in, and employees say it seems like they are getting more of them. Working in a 911 communication center can be a difficult job. So the Colorado Springs Police department is making mental health a priority for their employees.

“We want to break the stigma that mental health is just as important as physical health,” said Sgt. Frederic… READ MORE

El Paso 911 call takers working overtime due to employee shortage (TX)

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – El Paso 911 telecommunicators are dealing with employee shortages, with 911 call takers having to work overtime to ensure that the call center always has at least minimum staffing.

“Were also using our uniform personal on the fire and police department side to come in and work overtime so we can give a break to those telecommunications who are out there working,” said El Paso Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan Killings.

Officials say the goal is for 90 percent of all 911 calls to be answered within 10 seconds, but that if there is a high influx of calls you may hear this message… READ MORE

Rep. Mueller’s Plan For First Responder Resources Passes House (MI)

Rep. Mueller’s Plan For First Responder Resources Passes House (MI)

Rep. Mueller's Plan For First Responder Resources Passes House

A local lawmaker’s bill would provide extra support to law enforcement officers and first responders.

State Representative Mike Mueller of Linden’s bill to provide $368.5-million in funding to help with recruitment, retention, community outreach, and equipment upgrades passed through the House, Thursday.

Mueller said that a portion of that funding will be dedicated to increased mental health supports for police and first responders…

Teller County Sheriff Mikesell supports a consolidated 911 call center (CO)

Teller County Sheriff Mikesell supports a consolidated 911 call center (CO)

In a county with three dispatch centers, an ongoing study considers the benefits as well as the drawbacks of initiating a regional “911” call center at the Sheriff’s Office in Divide.

“The current system creates an inefficiency,” said Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell. “If you live in a municipality, you’re paying for three dispatch centers.”

Residents with cell phones and land lines pay a fee to the El Paso Teller E-911 Authority, in addition to paying a portion of taxes for both city and county dispatch centers…