BFPD announces new video camera system

BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry Police Department has purchased a new video camera system.

This new system includes dash cameras for patrol vehicles as well as body cameras. The investment of about $26,000 will give the BFPD officers increased tools to document daily police work at a level not previously available with body cameras alone, department officials said.

Upgrades to the video system have been planned for several years but have been subject to budgetary restraints.

The new camera system, as with many camera systems, does require officer action to activate and deactivate the devices, with the cameras not continuously recording. Additionally, the new body cameras do not necessarily blink or indicate they are recording. The video footage recorded by the cameras cannot be altered or deleted absent supervisor sign-off.

BFPD policy recommends the use of video systems to accurately document events, actions, conditions, and statements made during citizen contacts, arrests, and other critical incidents. Recording of contacts is not required by Idaho law or city policy. Officials said the videos are a valuable tool for investigation and eventual prosecution of events; however, ultimately officers continue to have discretion when utilizing this tool.

Technology is not infallible and all video systems are subject to some risk of human error, officials said. The BFPD is excited to deploy the new camera system which hopefully will improve the quality of investigations and benefit the public as a whole, they added.