PD unveils dash cam upgrade

The dash cameras Moorcroft’s police department has used for the last several years were sadly out of date and in need of an upgrade, according to Police Chief Bill Bryant. Bryant explored his choices and, about six months ago, became serious in his efforts to acquire three up-to-date dash cams for himself and his officers.

The system the chief chose is far better than the camera system the department has been using. Bryant says, “The old system saved two minute clips, didn’t have audio outside the car and the body cameras were not part of the same system so there were two different computer systems to go through.”

This new system actually incorporates the car camera and the body camera into one computer system. It can even integrate the radar used for checking speed and record that information into the same screen. “It’s just more fitting for what we do,” Bryant says.

While the old clips were allowable in court, this new system is “getting them into the 21st century,” according to Bryant. The new system also keeps the files recorded on the cloud, allowing access and enabling the department to email any file required by the DA or other department of law enforcement with attached reports, etc.

“We can upload everything in a case file there and send an email with the link instead of actually having to drive or mail anything,” Bryant says.

One day, back in July, Bryant was considering funding options for this better system and took notice of the unpresuming BNSF trains that pass through the town daily. Suddenly, he had an idea and, following up, he got online to search for any grants being offered by the megalithic company.

Sure enough, they were offering a grant for his type of need. Bryant filled out the virtual application, but thought no more about it when there was no response.

Subsequently, the chief approached the council for assistance with the funding for the much-needed equipment. After receiving a check from Powder River Energy franchise fees for which the town had not budgeted, the governing body examined for themselves the difference in quality and provided the police department with $7000 to have the new equipment installed and pay the first $5000 payment on the five-year lease to own program.

When Bryant received a check from BNSF last week, he was delighted: “Basically, it was a shot in the dark and then I got a nice little check for $10,000.” This money will pay off another two years of the five annual payments.

This system, including all hardware and software, is on a five-year lease-to-own program, according to the chief, who says, “The town approved me using money from unanticipated income to get started and this $10,000 will pay the payment for the next two years which is $5000 annually. That helps us out a lot.”

Officer Jory Tadlock, who has been out of the office for a few weeks, was intrigued and says he is looking forward to getting back to work and try the upgraded system. After listening to all of the attributes, “I like it already,” he says.