VFW donation provides assistance for purchase of body cameras for officers

Lion Mountain VFW Post 276 recently made a donation to the Whitefish Police Department allowing for the purchase of body cameras.

The VFW presented the department with a check for just over $13,000 to purchase body cameras and related technology upgrades for the department.

“Body cameras protect the public and officers against false allegations and has invaluable evidentiary value,” Police Chief Bill Dial said. “The City of Whitefish is very grateful for the donation and the continuing commitment the VFW has demonstrated to help our community.”

The VFW approached the police department recently looking for ways it might make a donation to enhance the services provided to the community. Representatives of the VFW Sheila Coulter, Fred Hamilton and Michael Pryor last week presented the department with the donation.

Assistant Chief Bridger Kelch said every Whitefish patrol officer wears a body camera on duty and the camera also links to cameras in their patrol cars.

“When they return from patrol, the digital recorded video uploads automatically,” Kelch said. “We can link multiple videos together from officers.”

Kelch said the digital videos are cataloged based upon incident and then are retained until cases are through the court system.

“The donation provided funds for the body cameras and the technology upgrades at zero cost to the police department and the tax payers,” Kelch said.