Norwalk Police pass first Council hurdle on way to body cameras

NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalk Police moved a step closer Thursday night to outfitting all of its patrol officers with body-worn cameras.

After posing questions to Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik, members of the Common Council’s Health, Welfare and Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to authorize up to $32,000 for the purchase of 35 Taser Axon cameras.

The digital video cameras are being paid for by donations from two city residents.

The purchase will provide enough cameras for all officers in the Patrol Division, as well as Special Services officers, who enforce vice crimes.

Last year the department acquired three cameras from three companies on a trial basis. Kulhawik selected cameras manufactured by Taser International of Scottsdale, Ariz. The company is best known for its electroshock guns, which it calls “conducted electrical weapons.”

Video collected from the cameras will be stored off-site through a service offered by Taser for an annual fee of $10,000.

The video is stored a minimum of 30 days by state law. Video segments involved in litigation, or that a supervisor has requested be retained an extended period of time, would be stored for three years.

All seven members of the committee attended the meeting in City Hall. Kulhawik was joined at the meeting by Deputy Chief Susan Zecca.

Approval of the acquisition will be voted on by the full Council on March 10.