Raisin Township police to begin wearing VIEVU cameras

After informing the board he was looking into body-worn video cameras for his officers back in June, Raisin Township Police Chief Kevin Grayer has received approval for a body-worn camera program. At the Monday meeting, the Raisin Township Board approved the program, its funding and police policies governing the program, which were adapted to the township from the Michigan Police Association. Grayer said he chose to go with the VIEVU LE3 camera after talking to the Tecumseh, Madison and Adrian Police Departments, which have the cameras. He added that once approved, he would contact a VIEVU representative to visit the department to begin the program. “I’ve seen the quality and the sound that comes with this system,” Grayer said. “This is the best.”The VIEVU LE3 cameras cost $750 each, according to Grayer, who is seeking to purchase three to be shared among his five officers. To store the video files, Grayer said he is working with an information technology company to possibly store the files locally on a hard drive at the department. If that wasn’t possible, $1,016 was budgeted for server space.In addition to purchasing the cameras, there is also a $125 monthly service charge the township will be paying for three years. While $375 would be taken out of the 2015 budget, the monthly service charge would be budgeted for the following years. The cost of the program will be offset by $2,800 recently received through a forfeiture. “It’s not just for the officers,” Grayer said. “It’s for the citizens also; making sure things are done above board at all times.” Aside from approving the body-worn video camera program, the township board had to reverse a decision it made in August regarding payroll. The board voted Monday to return to its biweekly pay schedule, and put in the employee handbook that the workweek for township employees would be Monday through Sunday. Before entering closed session, Raisin Township Super-visor Jay Cavanaugh suggested the board of trustees get together and discuss the 2016 budget before approving it, which will likely happen sometime in November. Cavanaugh said that while the budget committee is helpful, the board should have input on the budget. The 2016 budget will likely be discussed during the second monthly meeting though special meetings could be called. In other business, the township: • Directed Raisin Township Supt. Jim Palmer to continue working on a Raisin Works Department job description • Approved a resolution of recognition for the township police department• Approved a new Raisin Community Center rental contract• Approved the signing of the GUSCO light-emmitting diode project and Services Master township hall cleaning contracts• Entered into closed session to discuss the lawsuit between township resident Paul Smoke and the township itself regarding violations of the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act

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