City police seek more body cams
From 20 to 100; also plan partnership with TenPoint
JAMIE DUFFY | The Journal Gazette
Fort Wayne police and fire departments Tuesday issued a joint release outlining initiatives for the new year, including FWPD's goal of adding 100 body cameras to an existing 20.
In order to maintain the department at 480 sworn officers, FWPD will hold a 21st Lateral Class this year, hiring officers certified through other law enforcement agencies, the Tuesday release said. Currently, the department has 468 sworn officers, according to Sofia Rosales-Scatena, FWPD public information spokesperson.
Two new social workers are budgeted for FWPD's Hope and Recovery Team known as HART that visits people who overdosed on drugs. And there are plans to expand FWPD's partnership with Fort Wayne United's TenPoint Coalition, an initiative targeting certain high crime areas with citizen patrols.