Yorkville Police Department Rolls Out Body-Worn Cameras For Officers

YORKVILLE, IL — Officers with the Yorkville Police Department have started wearing body cameras, which is part of a department-wide rollout program that also places the cameras inside of police vehicles, police announced on Thursday.

The body-worn cameras will be worn by sworn officers and the use of the cameras is in addition to the cameras that all patrol vehicles include, the department said in a news release. The department said that the use of cameras puts officers “ahead of the curve” as state legislation does not require law enforcement officers to use body-worn cameras until 2025.

The department said that the body cameras are part of the evolving technology used in law enforcement and added that the use of the cameras makes the actions of police officers more transparent to the general public.

Yorkville Deputy Police Chief Garrett Carlyle said that the cameras were paid for out of the city budget after approval was granted to purchase the cameras by the city council. However, he said the police department is working to obtain grants to help defer the cost of the cameras.

The technology also increases compliance by local residents, leads to quicker resolution of complaints lodged by residents, improves the professionalism of police officers, and provides assistance to local prosecutors, police officials said.

“As a law enforcement agency, we acknowledge that excellence in our staff comes from a culture of accountability, respect, compassion, and professionalism,” department officials said in a news release.