The Omaha Police Department (OPD) is requesting funding to purchase 600 Body Worn Cameras (BWC) to fully equip its Uniform Patrol Bureau (UPB) officers as well as a select number of strategically critical units, such as the Gang Unit, and the Emergency Response Unit.

Durable, functional, body worn camera technology has been an effective tool for Omaha law enforcement use, and the citizens of Omaha have come to expect its police officers to utilize this technology. Recently the technology has evolved to include auto-activation, triggering the cameras to automatically engage in certain events. And while the use of BWCs by OPD officers has positively impacted the City of Omaha, there is great need to increase the number of BWCs that are available to officers for use on the streets of Omaha.

Research has proven that the use of BWCs has led to a reduced number of citizen complaints and lawsuits filed against agencies, as well as a reduced amount of use of force incidents. Research also suggests the costs associated with prosecution such as officer court pay may be reduced for agencies whose officers wear BWCs as cases with video evidence may result in more guilty pleas and/or fewer trials. Body worn cameras also have been shown to have the potential to increase public trust in police agencies, as officers who wear the cameras capture an impartial record of events.