Youngstown Police Department unveiled its policies and rules when using its new body cameras Thursday evening.

Although they don't have a timeline yet for deciding the brand they're using, the department has created it's policy of the body cameras.

When officers are required to record:

  • all calls for service and self-initiated activates
  • responding to calls for service with emergency lights and sirens
  • at the onset of vehicle or foot pursuits
  • traffic & pedestrian stops
  • arrests
  • searches
  • prisoner/ citizen transport
  • any situation an officer believes captures media may be of use

When officers are prohibited to record:

  • in private places like dressing rooms, restrooms, etc.
  • when someone is receiving medical treatment 
  • conversations of citizens or officers unrelated to investigative or enforcement
  • when interacting with confidential informants or undercover officers
  • internal law enforcement matters, including staff meetings and internal investigations.

When officers can turn off the camera:

  • when entering someone's home or business
  • speaking with a victim who doesn't want to be on camera
  • when ordered by the officer's supervisor

Homicides, K-9 incidents and sexual assault investigations recordings will be kept permanently. For most serious encounters with members of the public, including arrests investigative stops, uses of force video will be kept for 5 years. Less serious incidents like traffic stops will be kept for 2 years. 

All body camera footage is available to the public upon a public records request. 

"It'll be good for the officer, it'll be good for the individual, and also it could be good for the courts," said Harriet Carlock form The Light Church. 

"It's human nature. Most people fear what they don't know and especially what they don't understand," explained Malik Mostella, Community Liaison with YPD. "So, I hope we get to take away some of this fear and lack of understanding. Simply by being able to see exactly how it happens when it happens."

People who were at tonight's meeting told 21 News after watching YPD's body camera footage, they say they now have a better understanding of law enforcement's day to day operations.

"It will help a lot," Carlock said. "It will give them more clarity, more respect for the officers and that everything that's been on camera, you'll see it."

Just a few miles down the street, Inspiring Minds hosted their annual gala where members of the community gave their input on the new cameras.

"It's going to be safer for the people in the community to sit and think well, if a body cameras on, there's a lower chance risk that someone may be shot or something could go wrong or a twisted case," said Pierre Arnold, Inspiring Minds student.

"It's going to be a positive affect on both sides because too often we get people who are able to complain because of the atmosphere around the country and it's a bad look, but this way they can be straight they can be clean," said Pat Kerrigan, Oak Hill Collaborative. 

"We're looking forward to be able to put them on and come out and do our jobs," Mostella said.