Video: Columbus Police Upgrading Technology

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- With cameras and upgraded computers, Columbus police can get information and record activity in real time. It’s designed to save taxpayers money and better protect the public.

“We’ve installed many cameras into our police cruisers, as well as in our computers. This technology will enable us to run tags as well as run NCIC checks within their vehicles,” said Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen.

The upgrades work as soon as officers are on a pursuit.

“Once the officers blue lights are activated the cameras record until the officer manually stops it from inside the vehicle so that eliminates the officer getting out of the vehicle, getting into something. We’ll actually have physical proof that something did or did not happen,” said IT Technician Chris Rutherford.

The cameras can be activated manually by the officer. They also come on if the car hits 100 miles per hour. The computer upgrade will take some burden off 911 dispatchers.

” The 911 operators will be able to answer calls as opposed to running tags for the officers,” said Chief McQueen.

The new technology inside the police vehicles pretty much gives them a 360 degree view around their car, which pretty much keeps them safe while they’re doing their job.

“If the public knows that they’re being videoed and we’ll use that video in court, then hopefully some of the citizens won’t act as bad. On the flip side to that, it will hold the police officers accountable,” said McQueen.

Cruisers also now have GPS systems installed in the vehicles, that way people inside police headquarters can track patrolmen anywhere in the area.

 

Categories: Crime, Local News

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