FPD provides annual evaluation of Body Cam program

(From the Findlay Police Department)

The City of Findlay Police Department has been using body-worn cameras (BWC) and Fleet 3 dash cameras for one (1) year effective August 14, 2024.

Below are the statistics for this program from the last year:

• 71 Findlay Police Department officers and auxiliary officers utilized the BWC system to provide evidence.
• Findlay Police Department officials posted 58,489 pieces of digital evidence on evidence.com.
• 11,927 photos and/or videos uploaded to evidence.com using Axon Capture.
• 2,568 photos and/or videos uploaded to evidence.com from 726 uses of Axon Community Request.
• 18.07 TB (terabytes) of data storage on evidence.com.
• Shared 6,079 pieces of digital evidence with partner agencies (District Attorney, Legal Director, CSB) through 508 records requests.
• 12,988 digital evidence documents were made available to individuals through 322 different public records requests.

Twenty-one (21) marked patrol vehicles have been equipped with the Axon Fleet 3 dash cam system (as of August 6, 2024), and training on the use of the system for all sworn personnel was conducted in May and June.

The City of Findlay Police Department has replaced five (5) charging stations due to non-functional charging ports, as well as seven (7) body-worn cameras due to various issues with the devices.

One (1) dashboard was replaced due to internal errors. Axon Support provided a return authorization within minutes of the request and all replacement units arrived within a few days.

Overall, aside from a few minor hiccups that had to be overcome, this was a very successful program.

Police Chief James Mathias says the use of body-worn cameras increases transparency and accountability, and improves officer safety.