By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
As state lawmakers consider a bill to require law enforcement officials to be equipped with body cameras, many Kansas game wardens have been using them since the fall.
In mid-November, approximately half of the game wardens with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism received body cameras, according to KDWP Director of Law Enforcement Kevin Jones.
One of those game wardens is Owen Johnson, who oversees all of Trego, Gove and the western half of Ellis County.
Johnson said he received his camera in mid-December after returning from injury and said he has tried to use it every day.
While no guidelines have been established as to when to use the camera, Johnson uses his if he is going to be in contact with a hunter or fisherman, if he is working an accident or working an investigation.
Johnson also said he tries to capture interesting things he sees along the way.
“With social media today, it gives us a way that we can show the general public what we do, other than check hunting and fishing licenses,” he said.
Game wardens in Kansas are among a few wildlife agencies that are equipped with the camera, and Johnson said he believes that can be an important tool.
“With all of the things going on, I think it is just a good thing to have,” he said, “to kind of protect us as officers and the agency as a whole.”
Game wardens are in a unique situation where often times they work alone a number of miles from backup but at the same time they are a law enforcement agent and respond to calls for backup from area law enforcement agencies.
Johnson said most of times when he has contact with the public he is the only officer involved.
“A lot of times you contact large groups of people and you’re the only one.”
But Johnson added, “If a trooper calls out for backup, a county sheriff, a PD we can respond to all those calls for backup just like anybody else.”
It took some time for Johnson to get used to the camera and he said it does have its drawbacks.
“You can’t rely on anything 100-percent, it doesn’t always work,” Johnson said.
But as a whole, according to Johnson, they work for their intended purpose.
“I definitely think there’s more benefits than cost.”
Johnson is one of five game wardens that work in the Northwest District covering all of Northwest Kansas and has been working in the area since October.
He is currently working to complete his Master’s Degree in Wildlife Biology through the University of Nebraska at Kearney.