MPD's body camera pilot program starts, officers credit the technology for shooting arrest

MADISON (WKOW) -- The pilot program for body cameras on Madison police officers started this week and Chief Shon Barnes says the technology has already been helpful to the department. 

"For the last two weeks, we've been getting officers used to the body worn cameras," Barnes said. 'We've been going through some technical issues, there's been some training, some policy training."

Barnes says he's excited about the possible future for body cameras in the department. He credits the technology for the arrest of a woman suspected of shooting and killing 31-year-old Andre Wrice last week. 

"Anyone who may be around the officers when they're giving first aid, we're able to see, well, this person was there. And then we can we contact them and say 'can you help us out?' Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that helps us to identify potential witnesses that may be on scene so we can piece together absolutely everything that may or may not have happened that day," Barnes said. 

We asked Chief Barnes if he could share any of the body camera footage that he says helped lead to the arrest. But he says police aren't sharing footage because the investigation is still active. 

"We want to make sure that we don't do anything or put anything out that would prejudice a potential jury pool," Barnes said. 

Officer Tyrone Cratic Williams has been a Madison police officer for nearly a decade. Though it's only the beginning of the program, it's something he's been looking forward to for a very long time. 

"Body worn cams have been around worldwide since 2005," Cratic Williams said. "So, I'm excited to take part in this pilot study and to build upon that foundation that's been going on for the last 19 years."

Barnes says in 30 days the police department will have a cost analysis to give people an idea of what the price tag will look like should body camera become a permanent addition. The pilot program will last 90 days total. 

Barnes says there's a community meeting on Madison's north side tomorrow to hear how neighbors feel at the start of the program.