On a routine traffic stop, Calmar Police Chief Joe Ward approaches a vehicle while wearing a body-worn camera (circled). In 2014, the local police force became the first law enforcement agency in Winneshiek County to begin using the small cameras while on duty. Both officers on the force, which covers the communities of Calmar and Ossian, are able to begin recording at the push of a button – something that Ward says offers many benefits his officers and him. (Zakary Kriener photo)
CPD body cams offer 'peace of mind'
Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com
In today’s day and age, being a member of law enforcement is a duty that can be quite tumultuous and difficult. Due to a number of well-publicized incidents that have blasted major media outlets around the U.S., many individuals are left skeptical of law enforcement procedures and how officers handle potentially dangerous situations.
“Some people may say Calmar and Ossian are just two small communities that don’t have to deal with violence or other dangerous situations,” explained Calmar Police Chief Joe Ward, a nine-year veteran of the local force. “That may be true, but the world has changed a lot over the years. We, as police officers, need to change with it.”
One of the biggest changes that is being made across the country is the addition of body cameras on officers. In 2014, Ward and the Calmar Police Department became the first law enforcement agency in Winneshiek County to use this new technology.