Mentor Looking To Put Cameras In Police Cruisers

The city may be adding cameras and microphones to 's cruisers next year.

"We have decided to ask Council to appropriate funds for in-car video cameras," City Manager Kenneth Filipiak said .

While the city's 2012 budget has not been finalized, $168,000 has tentatively been set aside to add high-definition cameras and microphones to police vehicles.

The cameras would film activity happening both inside and outside of the cruiser.

If Council does approve the budget item, some decisions still need to be made.

For example, the police unions would have some say in when the cameras and microphones would be on.

Also, it is not yet clear how quickly the police fleet would be outfitted with cameras if it's approved.

Mentor Police Chief Daniel Llewellyn thinks the cameras would be a boon for officers.

"Often it's a policeman's word against someone else's. This way we'll have a neutral third party," he said.

In related news, Mentor Police didn't get any new police vehicles this year. Consequently, they are budgeted to receive eight new ones in 2012 to replace older models.

Instead of getting Ford Crown Victorias, which were the industry standard for decades, the department will be getting specialized Ford Tauruses and Ford Interceptors.

Llewellyn said the vehicles have some safety adaptions that make them better: all-wheel drive, improved rear protection and a gyroscopic system that would set off all the vehicle's airbags if it were to overturn.