Our team doesn’t just talk the talk, they’ve walked the walk. Introducing ‘Behind The Team’, a blog series interviewing Utility’s Sales team and discussing their experience in law enforcement.
Utility recognizes the importance of having a team that understands the duties of law enforcement and how technology plays a role in the field. Before joining the Sales Team, all of Utility’s Business Managers retired from their law enforcement careers. Meaning they have a full understanding of the importance technology plays in protecting their communities.
Troy Bacon is a prime example of that. He worked in law enforcement for 21 years with the Frankfort Police Department in Indiana, spending eight and a half of those years as Chief of Police. He is an active member of the NAACP and graduated from the FBI National Academy, Session 259. Before working in law enforcement, he attended Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Society and was a linebacker for the football team. He later pursued a Master of Science Degree from Indiana State University in Criminology and Criminal Justice. During his time at Purdue University, he knew he wanted to pursue a career that involved helping people. At first, he went with the education route before switching to law enforcement.
“At one point, I thought I wanted to be an educator, possibly a history teacher, but after about a semester or two, I soon realized that my calling was law enforcement,” said Troy Bacon. “The driving motivator in that decision was my desire to really help people.”
Bacon sat with Utility’s Blog Editor to answer a few questions:
Q: During your time as Chief of Police, what benefits did you see in using technology to aid law enforcement?
A: The progression of technology has been interesting to watch. When I entered law enforcement in the late 90s, I watched an evolution occur. We went from basically using pen and paper reports to having computers in the cars and law enforcement in-car cameras. We got scanners to scan driver’s licenses, so you wouldn’t have to write it all. It was just amazing.
About 2015, we started tossing around an idea to bring onboard body cameras. We settled on a vendor. After a couple of years, we realized that the particular vendor we went with wasn’t the right one for us. We had issues with the camera falling off; it would fall off the officers during struggles, it would fall off when the officers were running, and even fall off when they put their seatbelt on. Every time the body camera would fall off, it seemed like it would break, and that would cost our department $300 to $400 each time. And it’s just completely unacceptable to spend that much money and make that big of an investment in something that doesn’t stay on and breaks.
Q: Why did your agency (Frankfort Police Department) make the switch to Utility?
A: We knew we needed a better solution. I was already familiar with BodyWorn. Several agencies around us had Utility’s BodyWorn cameras. We invited Utility’s BodyWorn team, got a presentation, and learned about their solution. After seeing the presentation, the committee got together and decided that’s the one we’re going with. It was really night and day — the comparisons of BodyWorn to the previous vendor.
Q: How did the implementation go?
A: In terms of implementing BodyWorn, it was pretty easy. Once we designated someone to run the implementation for us, the Utility OPS team got to work and scheduled everything. The integration started and it happened easily.
Q: What advice would you give to an agency that is going through the process of selecting a body camera program?
A: Well, I would recommend they vet it. Vet the different options that you have. You certainly want to do that and find the right body camera system that works for your agency.
I think the differentiating factor is that BodyWorn is a solution, and it’s not just a device that you hang on a uniform. If you’re looking for a solution that solves many problems, ones that I know many law enforcement agencies face, give us a look, invite us in, and let us show you what we’ve got. I’m confident that you will want to go with us once you see the solution Utility has to offer.
As a former Chief of Police and advocate for community involvement and transparency, I believe in our system and the value of our technology. That’s why I’m in this role. I still want to help people and believe this is another avenue for me to do so.
Troy Bacon
Chief of Police, Retired, City of Frankfort, IN
FBI National Academy, Session 259
Business Manager, Utility, Inc.
250 E. Ponce De Leon Ave., Ste. 700, Decatur, GA 30030
t: 1-800-597-4707 | m: 765-412-2303 | f: 1-877- 449-5088
e: tbacon@utility.com | w: bodyworn.com
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