ODNR gets body cams

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has joined the ranks of other law enforcement agencies using body cameras to document incidents and provide transparency to the public.

Across Ohio, 280 body cameras were issued to ODNR officers this month, including three from the Grand Lake Area. ODNR officers are certified peace officers required to enforce all laws and statutes of the state within their jurisdictions.

"I believe it will help with investigations and overall transparency with what we do," said Mercer County wildlife officer Brad Buening.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine directed ODNR to begin the process to outfit its officers with body cameras last year. Following that directive, ODNR gained approval from the Ohio Controlling Board to spend $3.5 million through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to purchase the new cameras, according to a news release from the governor's office.

"Body cameras are becoming an increasingly important piece of technology in all areas of law enforcement," DeWine said in a statement. "These new cameras have the ability to protect natural resources and wildlife officers while also offering transparency to the public."

Auglaize County wildlife officer Mark Schemmel said the cost of implementing the cameras would have strained budgets without the CARES allocation.

"Not only the cameras themselves but the storage capabilities and the software to run it. It is somewhat of a large lump investment," Schemmel said.

Buening said body cameras had previously been considered.

"It's been discussed, it's just finally made it to where we are at now," he said.

Both officers look favorably on body cameras and believe they will prove useful tools.

"We have a policy and procedure in place where we are going to have it on our uniform and certainly in law enforcement contact have them on and recording," Schemmel said. "I think it could be a big benefit not only for the recording of law enforcement contacts and investigations, but also documenting certain times and looking at information for report writing."

He said being able to review footage for accuracy is a huge asset.

"Years ago you had to write down in a notepad. Now it is just going to be real time video," he noted.

Buening said a majority of his interactions with the pubic involve hunters and fishermen, checking their licenses and compliance with wildlife regulations.

"We do investigate wildlife crimes also," Buening added, pointing to violations such as poaching.

Body-worn cameras have become a key tool for law enforcement in recent years to accurately document arrests, critical incidents and other interactions with the public, according to the release.

"Our officers have been well-trained in the use of this new technology that will help them better protect the people of Ohio," said ODNR Director Mary Mertz in a statement. "We are excited to rollout these new cameras to increase the trust of our visitors while keeping our officers safe on the job."

The cameras also allow for detailed documentation of crime and crash scenes, enhance the accuracy of incident reports and court testimony, and help to improve community-police relations.

At DeWine's direction, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has also outfitted state troopers with body cameras and a grant program was developed by the Ohio Department of Public Safety to assist local law enforcement agencies with the costs associated with camera equipment and video storage.