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WEST VALLEY CITY — Having earned their state credentials, the city's newest rookies just finished up training at a three-week, in-house academy. They were sworn in as police officers Monday, becoming one of the first groups to have body cameras from Day One on the job.
During training, instructors shot the six new West Valley City recruits in the face with pepper spray, expecting them to carry on. They also used Tasers on the rookies so they could understand the power of their weapons.
In many ways, the job of a police officer has not changed. But intensified scrutiny will affect the way this new generation of officers approaches the job. That’s where body cameras come in.
Back in February, West Valley City’s police department was among the first law enforcement agencies in the state to arm all officers with body cameras.
"I think it helps with transparency, for one. We have nothing to hide,” said West Valley City training officer Dennis Martinez.
The cameras, mounted on sunglasses, are turned on every time the officer gets out of a patrol vehicle on a call. The instructors say rarely will the video become evidence. Often, it’s more valuable for more training.
"It's not only a good asset for us, but for the public also," said rookie officer Joe Syme.
While the national debate on the use of force has convinced some to stay out of law enforcement, Syme is undeterred. He believes the camera will back up his actions.
Honestly, if you're doing your job to the best of your ability — you're being an honest, hard-working police officer — there's nothing to hide.
–Officer Joe Syme, WVCPD
"Honestly, if you're doing your job to the best of your ability — you're being an honest, hard-working police officer — there's nothing to hide,” Syme said.
Fellow rookie officer C.J. Moore agrees.
“I'm just going to go out there and do my job the best I can,” Moore said. “I've been trained well.”
While the equipment may change, the instructors say the fundamentals remain the same.
“We have a sense of pride in what we do,” Martinez said. “When we go out, and we take our calls, and we serve the community, That's what we do. Whether there's a camera or not, we're going to do the right thing.”
For the new officers, the training isn’t over. Following their swearing-in ceremony, they are headed out on the streets to spend nearly five months with a field training officer.
