PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) -This week, a proposal to use body cameras in Peoria Public Schools was introduced at the Board of Education meeting.
Chief Demario Boone, PPS safety director, said providing body cams for school resource officers would ensure the safety of everyone on district property.
He also emphasized that video captured through these cameras can benefit resource officers in their training.
“Anything that I ask our department to have is not reactive, and it’s always proactive. I want to be a step ahead. I want to try to mitigate any liabilities that can occur doing our work,” said Chief Boone.
The board brought up privacy concerns, but Chief Boone said the security cameras currently in place throughout the schools have never been used in violation, and officers would be adequately trained on how and when to use them.
The cameras would cost about $58,000 and could come from the education fund if the proposal is approved.
“The equipment would come out of the education fund, and we have the capacity to handle that purchase out of the education fund,” said Mick Willis, chief financial officer.
There was no vote taken on this proposal.
