Pueblo police report drop in use of force incidents during first year wearing body cameras

Pueblo police report a nearly 20 percent drop in the number of times they’ve used force within the last year.

Deputy Chief Troy Davenport said body-worn cameras have helped to bring that figure down, adding that both citizens and officers are better behaved thanks to body cameras.

“I have to think it played some role. The degree to which it had an effect on it is speculative,” Davenport said. “It’s had to have had a positive effect on use of force incidents as well.”

So far this year, police have used force 98 times, compared to 121 occasions at this time last year. One of those instances included a deadly shooting with a home invasion suspect on Jan. 25, just days after police began wearing body cameras. Use of force is not limited to just deadly incidents, Davenport said.

“It could be a taser. It could be pepper spray. It could be an officer having to take a citizen to the ground and force their arms behind their backs,” Davenport said.

When police do use force, supervisors are required to review the footage. There have been five excessive force complaints filed this year; four were unfounded, according to internal affairs, and one is still under investigation.

When asked if officers are less inclined to use force because of the cameras, Davenport said, “The activation of a body-worn camera — they’re not expected to sacrifice their own safety for that. Having said that, my understanding from talking to the officers is that they welcome the body cameras. They’re glad to have them.”

Many people in Pueblo believe the cameras are restoring trust between law enforcement and the public.

“I think the cameras will speak for themselves instead of accusations being thrown on either side,” said Anthony Salazar, who lives in Pueblo.

But some think the cameras, while needed, are intrusive.

“I don’t like the cameras because I’ve never really been a big fan of invasion of privacy, but I think that whenever it comes to protecting officers and stuff, then yeah. There are a lot of really good officers out there,” said Puebloan Sherri Hays.

Davenport said body cameras also allow them to investigate complaints against officers more quickly and more easily. So far this year, there have been 24 complaints investigated by internal affairs compared to 29 at this time last year.