Lowville Police Chief says body cameras for his department are on the way

LOWVILLE- The Village Police Department will soon have body cameras for on-duty officers, along with new taser units.

Police Chief Daryl Ortlieb says they should arrive sometime during late winter or early spring and will be actively used once proper training is complete.

“Funding is strictly through the village,” Chief Ortlieb told us, clarifying the total cost rang-in just shy of $80,000, which includes a 5-year contract with Axon.

“We actually financed them at 0% for 5-years through Axon,” Ortlieb added.

Once that expires, the Police Chief said the department will either renew the contract or scrap the cameras altogether.

As for the new tasers, Chief Ortlieb says their current units have made it past a ten-year span and it is becoming "nearly impossible" to find proper batteries and replacement parts.

For context, the New York State Police began utilizing body cameras in the spring of 2021 under the Cuomo administration.

For the Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Mike Carpinelli says his department currently does not utilize body worn cameras, citing hefty cost expenditures.

Nearby, the Village of Boonville Police Department is now working on a policy for body cameras, according to officer Fred Robenski.

Village of Lowville Police Department image.