Soledad Police latest department to roll out body cams

Police body cameras are a growing trend on the central coast and now Soledad Police are joining the group of officers using the cameras on the streets of their city.

All 17 officers at the Soledad Police Department have their own body camera
totaling about $400 per camera. The entire cost was funded by grant money, “It shows a portion of the record, it’s recorded, there’s documentation. It protects not only the officer but it protects the citizens as well.”

Commander Damon Wasson says there have been many instances when officers were fortunate to be wearing body cameras because they captured dangerous moments on the job.

“Vehicle stops where fire arms and weapons, gang members have been apprehended and its on video tape,” said Wasson.

The department has not implemented an official policy yet, the Chief wants officers to get used to them operating them first.

The one requirement right now is officers must turn them on once they step out of a patrol vehicle.

News Channel 5 rode along with Officer Rodrigo Olguin who prefers to wear his body cam on his shoulder.

“I feel safer. Now I know that there is always going to be the truth and it can always be available for both parties,” said Olguin.

The department says it gives officers a sense of ease while they patrol the city watching over the public, knowing they too are being watched.

“We did this so that we could provide that extra layer of security to the citizens and to the officers, to make sure everyone’s protected, everybody knows we’re not trying to hide anything,” said Wasson.

Soledad Police says they will finalize a policy for the body cameras sometime in June.