A still image from the Oct. 5 Zoom meeting of the Derby Police Commission.
DERBY — Derby Police Chief Gerald Narowski said the department may have to spend between $315,000 to $450,000 over five years for new body and dashboard cameras as required by state law. That number includes the infrastructure needed to support the new tech.
“There is no money for this. We’re going to have to find it, and I want everyone to know what realistically this is going to cost,” Narowksi said during an Oct. 5 meeting of the Derby Police Commission.
In response to police brutality and claims of systemic racism within law enforcement, state lawmakers passed the “police accountability” bill in July.
Among the law’s mandates: all officers must wear body cameras, and vehicles must be equipped with cameras.
During the meeting Narowski said he believes, in general, the law makes the public less safe.
But the discussion at the police commission focused specifically on expenses related to cameras. The chief supports the use of body and dashboard cameras. He noted Derby police previously installed the equipment in 2015, but contracted with a vendor that was never able to provide reliable cameras, despite years of trying.
He also noted the prices he collected were from the AXON (formerly Taser), the largest supplier of police cams in the U.S. He reached out to the company, and used two of the company’s quotes to slightly smaller police departments as a guide.
Derby is classified as an economically-distressed municipality by the state. Any new expenses causes heartburn to local government officials.
Narowski told commissioners that while the department has until July 1, 2022 to comply with the mandate, budgeting for the expenses has to start within 60 days.
The chief said the costs go beyond simply buying a camera and setting it up. An entire new tech infrastructure is needed to support the cameras, Narowski said, including buying new cameras when the originals become obsolete.
The chief shared the image below (click here for the full presentation):
In total, Derby PD has 36 police officers and 10 police patrol vehicles.
According to the police accountability act, Derby is eligible for 50 percent reimbursement on whatever the department spends in year one, Narowski said.
But the new requirements seems to apply to purchases equipment. The chief noted AXON only offers a lease-type arrangement for body-worn cameras.
He said the city could be on its own after the first year of any lease.
Obviously, it’s in the city’s best interest to absorb costs up front so Derby can be reimbursed.
The chief said he has reached out to the state to clarify reimbursement and costs connected to cameras. In addition, Narowski said he needs clarification on how officers and vehicles are required by the new law.
Example — does the chief need to wear a body cam?
“I hope I am wrong (Narowski said about prices). We’re in the early stages of this, but … (I ) wanted to put the commission on notice,” he said.
Narowski’s comments on state-mandated costs connected to the new law have been echoed by Paul Satkowski, his counterpart in the Seymour Police Department.
“At this time I am working to get a firm understanding of legislative intent to determine the minimum requirements to cut costs,” Narowski said in an email to Derby Aldermen & Alderwomen. “At this point I am in contact with OPM and vendors to see how we can best leverage any grant funding and minimize the municipalities’ financial burden (i.e. front load any liability).”
