St. Albans Police Get Upgraded Body Cameras

St. Albans, WV (WOWK) — The local police force here plans to add an additional element of security to their attire.

The St. Albans Police Department prioritizes safeguarding the residents they serve, which is why they have been diligently working towards acquiring a new resource designed not only for officer protection but also to ensure safety within the community. Shortly, every front-line officer will be equipped with body cameras.

Whenever we examine a crime scene, your task involves taking photos followed by recording a walkthrough video. This way, you get the advantage of seeing things from multiple angles without altering our usual approach," explains Marc Gilbert, Chief of Police at SAPD. "It allows us to capture how officers perceive and document their observations upon entering the scene.

The funding for the body cameras has been secured via the COPS Office Grant from 2024 administered by the Department of Justice. A total of $150,000 was allocated for purchasing these devices. The officers have expressed their gratitude towards City Hall for assisting them with the grant application process.

"Not just keeping the public responsible, but also making sure we take responsibility when we make mistakes. Often, we might not think we're at fault, but a camera can point out, hey, you messed up here; you made an error there," explains SAPD Patrolman Tyler Robinette.

Police officers think that the cameras will primarily assist with overall documentation, allowing them to revisit incidents precisely as they occurred. Additionally, they anticipate that these recordings could serve as valuable visual proof during legal proceedings.

We certainly make use of our cameras whenever we need to take photographs for evidentiary purposes," explains SAPD Lieutenant Sheila Pinson. "Additionally, having body cameras with us during each visit to the location would allow us to document every detail present at the site while we're there.

The department issued a call for bids for 25 cameras. At present, they have 25 officers employed there. According to Chief Marc Gilbert, cameras will be provided to those officers who frequently interact with the public, with any extra units serving as backups.

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