ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Congresswoman and former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings was in Orlando Monday presenting the police department with funding for new body cameras.
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Rep. Demings (D-Orlando) announced in March that funding had been signed into law for 10 local community projects specifically chosen by her.
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In all, more than $6 million is being directed towards Central Florida.
The $1.2 million presented to the City of Orlando Monday will go towards the police department’s Next Generation Enhanced Body Worn Cameras Project, meant to enhance transparency and accountability while reducing complaints against officers.
I'm grateful, and I know that @OrlandoPDChief is thankful as well, for @RepValDemings working to secure $1.2 million in federal funding to OPD for next generation body worn cameras. The cameras will enhance officer safety and advance our commitment to transparent policing. pic.twitter.com/DFxHBP7Lq8
— Mayor Buddy Dyer (@orlandomayor) April 18, 2022
The new cameras will include auto-activation technology linked to the officers’ firearm and taser holsters to ensure incidents are captured entirely. It also allows officers to focus on the situation at hand rather than needing to push a button to record.
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The newer camera will also support live streaming and will feature an extended battery life and unlimited cloud storage.
“As a 27–year Orlando Police Officer, it was great to be home and to rejoin the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe,” Rep. Demings said in a statement. “I was proud to fight for this new police funding, and honored to join my brothers and sisters in blue to thank them for all they do to keep us safe.”
“Our officers’ new generation body-worn cameras are a port of OPD’s deep commitment to public safety and officer safety and transparency,” current Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon said.
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Other projects specifically designed by Rep. Demings for funding include initiatives aimed at combating homelessness, ensuring clean, safe drinking water, and protecting seniors during disasters.
For more information on the projects included in the legislation, click here.
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