Bank donation helps complete Charles City police body cam fund drive

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A donation from a local bank has helped the Charles City Police Department reach a fund drive goal to purchase body cameras for each member of the force.

First Security Bank donated $2,500 toward the fundraising campaign, adding to donations from other businesses and individuals.

Charles City Police Chief Hugh Anderson said that until recently, the department’s 14 police officers had to share four cameras, meaning they had to check them in and out for each shift.

“One of the issues is the officers come on shift and things start to happen pretty quickly, so it’s easy not to have time to grab a body camera for checkout,” Anderson said.

Although there is no law requiring police to wear body cameras in Iowa, Anderson said the department believes cameras are a tool to improve transparency, and added that the department was one of the first in the state to use video cameras in squad cars.

“The two cameras together give a better view for the public, for the prosecutor, for the defense, for everybody,” Anderson said. “It’s for protection of officers and protection of the public.”

Anderson said that with the completion of the fundraising campaign the department will have 20 body cameras on hand — enough for each officer to have one as part of his uniform, as well as spares for reserve officers to use and to have some extras in case one needs repairs.

The body cameras themselves came to a total of $11,000. Additional funds were used for needed editing software and digital storage for video files.

“We’re very grateful for the way the public, the businesses and everybody came forward and donated to this effort. Private funding is a blessing and it’s something that we’re very fortunate to have in this community,” Anderson said.

“To have the support of our community is actually heartwarming and we’re very grateful for it and very grateful and thankful to have a public that stands behind us and helps us out,” he said.

First Security made a YouTube video with Anderson talking about the project. It’s available here: https://youtu.be/BFOZJqkat74

Anyone who would like to donate to support the Charles City Police Department can still do so. The department maintains a fund to use donations to pay for educational and promotional items, such as anti-bullying and anti-drug materials, which are then given to local schools and children.

Donations are also used to help fund the Citizens’ Police Academy.