Maj. Billy Kelly, right, and Officer C. E. Revels, unpack new equipment the Rockingham Police Department received through the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program. It is for a new digital camera for a patrol car.
Police Chief Robert Voorhees said the camera system activates when blue lights on a patrol car are activated and records an officer’s activities and those around him at a scene.
“It will replace one of the older video tape machines in a patrol car with DVD capability,” he said.
This is the first digital camera for the department located in a patrol car.
The department has older cameras in operation in all patrol cars, which either record on tape or CDs.
The majority of the system will be located in the trunk of a patrol car.
Voorhees said the department earned points for the gift from the state through its efforts at highway safety such as license checkpoints, driving while impaired checkpoints, use of the BATmobile for blood alcohol content checking, and participation in other community awareness events.
Officers C. E. Revels and D. N. Johnson recently completed a three-day course of training with U. S. Immigration Customs Enforcement in Charlotte.
As a result of their completion of training, Voorhees said each officer was presented $1,500 worth of equipment.
A hand-held video camera with a long flexible tube can be used to search cracks and crevices not normally accessible in vehicles.
Voorhees said a $5,000 grant for the training and equipment was obtained through ICE for illegal drug interdiction efforts.
For a look at the gear, see page 5A.
Contact reporter Tom MacCallum at 997-3111, ext. 15; e-mail tmaccallum@yourdailyjournal.com.
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