Salem Police Union Reaches Body Camera Use Pact With City

Salem MA

21 September, 2021

4:07 PM

Description

SALEM, MA — Salem police officers will soon be joining the ranks of departments across the country required to wear body cameras. The city said on Tuesday it reached an agreement with the Salem Police Department and Salem Police Patrolmen's Union to have officers wear them once they are purchased and the officers are trained on their proper use. The city said the cameras, which Salem's Race Equity Task Force recommended, will "improve the transparency of police operations, promote police integrity, protect police officers against spurious complaints and add valuable evidence to police investigations." Police Chief Lucas Miller, who took over the department this past spring, said he endorses the body camera requirement that could have cameras turned on and recording by the first quarter of 2022. "The implementation of body-worn cameras is very important to me as the chief of the Salem Police Department, as a career police officer, as an advocate for sensible, fair policing, and as a resident of Salem," Chief Miller said in a statement. "Buying the cameras and training the officers in their use will take some time and cost some money, but the time and money will be well-spent. "The cameras will aid police investigations, provide valuable evidence in criminal proceedings, promote transparency and police integrity, and provide a valuable resource in evaluating police policy and procedure. I hope to have the program operational as soon as possible." The union said the cameras will provide "an added level of protection for all parties involved" and that they support the measure. "As always, we will continue to support initiatives that uplift our beloved community and protect our neighbors, friends and families," the union said. "We look forward to partnering with Chief Miller and the city to phase in this community initiative." Mayor Kim Driscoll included funding for the cameras in her proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget, which the City Council approved. A state grant application has also been submitted to help fund future phases of the program's implementation. "Body-worn cameras are a key tool to meet these important goals consistently and equitably," Driscoll said. "They protect officers from inaccurate accusations of misconduct, and they protect the public by ensuring accountability for police actions." The Salem police policy for governing camera use and who must carry them will be updated here. Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch. (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)