WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – Officers of the law in the Lawrence County seat will have another tool to help in their job, thanks to a new grant.
A $5,000 grant from the White River Planning and Development District, through Representative James Ratliff, was designated for the Walnut Ridge Police Department, Chief Chris Kirksey said Monday. The check was presented Monday morning.
Kirksey said officers already wear body cameras but this will add another layer of transparency to the process, not only protecting civilians but protecting the officers from unfair accusations, too.
“It’s very crucial and we’ve come into a day in age where if it’s not on camera, it didn’t happen,” Kirksey said. “If there are incidents that occur or internal complaints, it could cover the officer. God-forbid, be it in an officer involved shooting from a traffic stop or at a house on a call, you’ve got that entire camera going and it’s also got a body mic attached to the officer.”
Patrol cars will get updated cameras installed or new cameras entirely, depending on the unit.
(Photo provided by Walnut Ridge Police Department to NEA Report.)
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