Temple Terrace To Purchase Body Cameras For Police Department

TEMPLE TERRACE, FL — Temple Terrace police officers soon will be outfitted with body cameras.

This month, the Temple Terrace City Council approved the purchase of a body camera system for the city's police department.

The WatchGuard Vista HD WiFi Body Worn Camera System will complement the existing WatchGuard in-car camera system used by the department. The body camera system should be in place and operational by early fall.

Resolutions approving the expenditures were passed unanimously by Acting Mayor Andy Ross, Vice Mayor Cheri Donohue and council members Frank Chillura, Gil Schisler and James Chambers.

The 50 body cams cost $106,510 and will be paid for with forfeiture dollars currently held in the Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund. The city will spend an additional $22,500 for the necessary licensing and software, and add a position for a digital evidence technician to monitor the system.

The Temple Terrace Police Department currently employs 47 officers.

"Given our desire to be as transparent as possible in our law enforcement activities within the city, we are fast-tracking the purchase and necessary training in order to equip our officers with body cameras as soon as possible," said city manager Charles Stephenson. "Allocating existing available funding will allow us to move quickly to get ahead of the curve in gaining an added level of trust among our residents."