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Tampa police seeking funds for hundreds of new body cameras

Right now, only 60 officers wear them, but a $600K grant would help the department boost that number to 600.

The Tampa Police Department could soon have 600 of its more than 900 officers outfitted with body cameras as soon as October if approved for a $600,000 federal grant from the Department of Justice.

“Somebody at the scene might have a different version of events from the officer, and the video should be very helpful in sorting those things out,” police spokesman Steve Hegarty said.

The goal is for all officers on the streets to have body cameras. Right now, only 60 officers wear them, but the grant would help the department boost that number to 600.

Each camera costs a little less than $1,000. However, those one-time costs are dwarfed next to the recurring costs associated with data storage fees for the video. 

Hegarty said the department could spend close to $2 million over three years.

"There's going to be a lot of video coming from the officers. Really, any interaction they have any sort of police activity, they should have the body cam on,” he said.

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Lawyer Ralph Fernandez agrees. He represents at least one client stopped by a couple of former Tampa police officers who were fired for multiple violations. An internal investigation found one officer was accused of turning off his body camera during a confrontation.

“The preservation of what takes place in a confrontation, I think, is the best way to avoid problems on either side,” said Fernandez. “What I do appreciate is the fact that the chief is receptive ... to anything that would affect the integrity of a prior investigation and deal with it.”

Former Tampa police chief and current Mayor Jane Castor is a proponent of the effort. She said she plans to work with the department in securing the funds for the cameras.

“The community expects that they'll be able to see … what they do on a day-to-day basis is transparent to the community,” said Castor. “And as I have always said with a body-worn camera program, that it will improve officers' behavior a little bit. Hopefully, it'll improve the behavior of the individuals that the officers deal with a lot more, and it's going to be an eye-opener for the rest of the public when they get to see what officers go through.”

The federal grant would be contingent upon Tampa police committing $300,000 toward the $600,000 amount. 

Castor said the city is committed to finding a way to help cover the necessary costs.

Hegarty said he expects the department to find out in September if they will get the grant.

Emerald Morrow is a reporter with 10News WTSP. Like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. You can also email her at emorrow@wtsp.com.

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