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BOA approves new server for police body cams, hikes Marshal salary

Posted 2/16/22

Fayette Chief of Police David Ford explained to the city’s Board of Aldermen on Tuesday, February 8, that the department has received new radios and new body cameras, but will need a new server …

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BOA approves new server for police body cams, hikes Marshal salary

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Fayette Chief of Police David Ford explained to the city’s Board of Aldermen on Tuesday, February 8, that the department has received new radios and new body cameras, but will need a new server to store video data.

Ford said the new Motorola radios, which were paid for almost entirely through grant funding, are being programmed and are expected to be installed in the next two weeks. The radios will operate on the Missouri Statewide Wireless Interoperable Network (MOSWIN) system. A statewide public safety interoperable communications system, MOSWIN is a network of communications towers, base stations, and communications software. The project provides infrastructure that allows for interoperable communications throughout the state to both state public safety agencies and any local jurisdictions on the system. The system meets a Federal Communications Commission mandate that all public safety agencies in the U.S. operate only in a “narrowband” mode after Jan. 1, 2013.

The department also received new body cameras that are worn on the front of officers’ uniforms. However, the video takes up considerable storage on computer hard drives, therefore Chief Ford asked the council to purchase a new server with cloud backup.

“I couldn’t believe how much room a 10- or 15-minute video takes up,” Chief Ford said. “And it’s every day.”

Because the video files are considered evidence, particularly in felony cases, they must be retained in perpetuity, which takes up significant space.

“This is a problem in every city,” explained Nathan Nickolaus, the city’s attorney. “The video just keeps piling on, and it requires huge amounts (of space).”

The council approved the purchase of a new custom server at a cost of $5,180, with a maintenance cost of $500 a year. The funding is expected to come from America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money the city received.

Chief Ford also addressed a recent idea of installing video cameras downtown. The initial idea was to install them on street lights. But the city’s director of public works, Danny Dougherty, said that would not work since the power to the lights is only on from dusk to dawn.

The Police Chief said he would ask downtown business owners if cameras could be mounted onto their buildings and draw from their power. “It’s to their benefit as to why we’re doing it,” Ford said. “It’s not going to use a whole lot of power.”

Council votes to raise Marshal salary by $18k

The Fayette city council last week voted to increase the salary of the City Marshal, commonly referred to as the Chief of Police, to $62,000. The previous salary, which had been largely unchanged since 2005, was $44,000.

Since 2005, the salary has only increased by $946. The last increase was four years ago.

The salary change will take effect following the municipal election on April 5. Chief Ford is running unopposed for re-election as City Marshal. The filing period for the election ended at 5 p.m. on December 28.

Northwest Ward Alderwoman Michelle Ishmael, on behalf of the Employee Salary Committee, supported the increase. “We felt that this was a very important topic, and time-sensitive,” she said. 

The committee consists of Ishmael, chair and Southwest Ward Alderman Grafton Cook, and East Ward Alderman Joe Parisi. Both Cook and Parisi were absent from last week’s meeting.

Ishmael said the decision to raise the salary was at least partly based on salaries from neighboring communities of similar size to Fayette. “We came to the conclusion last week that we would like to recommend the Marshal’s pay would be $62,000,” she said.

With only four council members present, the salary increase passed 3-0. East Ward Alderwoman Stephanie Ford, who is the wife of Marshal Ford, abstained.

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