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LISBON -- As administrator of the Lisbon Police Department, Chief Mike Abraham said he's not required to wear a body camera, per the village's body camera policy.
He also doesn't have to answer calls, although he does when the department is short staffed. When he does, though, he doesn't wear a body camera.
"If I back someone up, the other officer's body camera is on," he said.
Abraham made the comments when asked about a question raised at a recent council meeting by a resident questioning why the chief doesn't wear a body camera on calls.
Nick Gough introduced himself as a member of River Valley Organizing before asking about the chief not wearing a body camera. Councilwoman Melissa Hiner said she thought it was because he's not on the road. Gough then asked what about when he answers calls, referring to a call involving himself when he claimed the report said one thing, but the video showed he had said something else.
Hiner said they can look into it. Mayor Peter Wilson said they would check it out and get back to him. Gough said it's not only for his protection, but for the chief's.
Abraham said him having to answer a call doesn't happen too often because his position is administrative. Sometimes he does get called out after hours or on a weekend, but he doesn't get paid overtime since he's an administrator. There are times when day shift may be short staffed and he'll work the shift by himself to save the overtime.
As for the body camera policy, he noted that council approved the body camera policy and everybody got a copy of it, including the mayor.
In another matter, Wilson advised council about calls regarding speeding on Washington Street, prompting other streets to be named where there's alleged speeding going on. He said he would mention it to the chief.
Council gave the go-ahead to a plan by Lisbon resident Joe Lawhorn, a professional cyclist, for a bike race that would start and end in the village. Dubbed the Coal Country Roubaix, the race is expected to have three courses and be held April 27, 2024. He said there's already a lot of interest and plans for livestreaming the event. The course will travel out of Lisbon on Steubenville Pike Road and across the county.
Councilwoman Dawn Thomas said this is fantastic and suggested he contact the trustees of the townships the route will go through and the sheriff's office so they're aware. There was also talk about the fair board for use of the fairgrounds and possibly the fair campground.
Council will meet again at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at village hall.