HUBER HEIGHTS — UPDATE @ 10:15 p.m.: The Huber Heights City Council members voted Monday night to equip police officers with body cameras and create a commission focused on diversity and reducing inequality.
The moves were part of the demand for change following the death of George Floyd, who died Memorial Day at the hands of Minneapolis police.
The council voted unanimously to budget $190,000 for body cameras, with the officer-worn devices aimed at improving officer transparency. The city manager vowed to have the system up and running within 30 days.
“I think this is long overdue,” Council Member Glen Otto said. “Our police force and our citizens need this. This is protection for everyone.”
The new body camera system will operate under the same software as the Huber Heights Police Division’s dash cameras, which city officials hope will ease training processes.
City Manager Rob Schommer said city officials had been looking into implementing the cameras for well over a year and the cameras were planned for 2021, but felt it was prudent to implement them more quickly.
Gov. Mike DeWine said last week he wants every Ohio police officer outfitted with body cameras.
“This system will be a great asset and benefit,” Schommer said. “To make sure that we safeguard our officers, safeguard our citizens, with this implementation as well, and to allow an additional layer of transparency and examination by the public for activities of enforcement-related nature.”
In other business, the council also voted to move forward with a Diversity Citizen Action Commission, aimed at reducing inequality in the city. The vote was met by applause from residents and others who attended the meeting. At the outset, the commission will be four members.
“We want to ensure people are treated fairly,” new commission member Eric Stephens said. “We want to ensure people are not discriminated against, and have equal opportunities.”
Another new commission member, Rhonda Sumlin, detailed some areas the commission might cover.
“Some initiatives may include looking at hiring practices, looking at how contracts are awarded,” she said. “Initiatives to promote community unity and overcoming cultural divides, looking at food shortages, looking at business relationships within our community.”
City officials hope to have more members join the commission.
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