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▶ South Fayette Police Chief John Phoennik's office computer displays a sample recording from Officer Sawyer Gray's body-worn camera. The 180-degree field of vision shows the chief walking toward the officer, along with peripheral objects and activity.
CANDID V
ideo cameras are great for capturing memories and posting special moments on social media. They also serve as an important safety tool for law enforcement. The South Fayette Township Police Department started a body-worn camera program in October to enhance the safety of officers and citizens. At the beginning of each shift, officers clip a pager-size camera onto their vest or shirt to record video and audio of on-the-job interactions with the public. When officers answer a call or conduct a traffic stop, their camera lights up red to show the exchange is being recorded. Police Chief John Phoennik said the goal is to capture evidence of circumstances that occur between officers and 16 |
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▶ Officer Sawyer Gray enters a police car wearing a video camera on her vest.
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citizens, rather than relying on potentially conflicting reports afterward. The camera captures activity and objects within a 180-degree field of vision. Although the cameras don’t guarantee that every situation will be fully accounted for, the recordings can provide valuable evidence, he said. “It gives us another tool to protect officers and to protect people who may be mistreated by police,” Chief Phoennik said. “It works both ways.” Both parties knowing they are being recorded encourages greater civility on both sides, potentially preventing certain situations from escalating to levels that require a use of force, Chief Phoennik said. South Fayette police officer Sawyer Gray said she conducts herself appropriately regardless of whether she is being South Fayette Township
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South Fayette Township
