New cameras aid officers in domestic violence investigations
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Safety levels will be raised a notch higher in Polson with the recent award of a Greater Polson Community Foundation Grant to SAFE Harbor and the Polson Police Department. In a joint effort, these two partnered on a proposal to aid police officers, while in the field, by providing them with portable point-of-view video cameras. Last month the Greater Polson Community Foundation awarded $1,500 for this project. SAFE Harbor has raised an additional $1,500 to help with the costs. “We are very excited about this award and appreciate the support of the Greater Polson Community Foundation and SAFE Harbor,” said Polson Chief of Police Wade Nash.
One of the most challenging aspects of working with domestic violence cases for law enforcement and the courts is dealing with the family that is involved. Often they are the only witnesses to the abuse. Yet, it is not always easy or appropriate to call in a five-year-old boy to testify against his father. Sometimes these situations are handled with videotapes taken at the scene of the crime to help prevent a child or other family member from being forced into this predicament.
Through recent work, the Polson Police Department has discovered the value of this technology with this specific issue as well as other evidentiary and crime scene steps. These cameras film the entire process and can be mounted on glasses, a ball cap, collar, helmet, body or simply on the dash of a vehicle. With this tool, the officer is able to interview those involved right after the event. If an officer is able to get the relevant information from a family member or observer, the video can be submitted as evidence and that individual will not have to testify. Not only does this protect children from having to be further traumatized, it also helps the overall prosecution process because the witness statements are fresh and not affected by the passage of time should the trial not occur for several months. Obviously, these cameras also have many other applications that can help the Polson Police Department in its work.
“We are always seeking ways to work with those in law enforcement in our community and hope that we can develop similar partnerships with other agencies in the future,” said SAFE Harbor Executive Director DeeAnn Richardson.
