WASHINGTON — Another police department is getting ready to kick-off a pilot program to wear body cameras, this time in Annapolis, Maryland.
About 10 of the department’s 114 officers will be outfitted with the body-worn cameras most likely before the end of June and the mayor would like to see a yearlong pilot program, according to Cpl. Amy Miguez with the department. During that year, the officers will be testing and evaluating the cameras.
Final details of the pilot program are expected to be released next week.
Cpl. Miguez said that privacy is always a big concern for citizens when it comes to police body-worn cameras. She said reaction to the cameras have been mixed in other communities. But she added, “By and large across the country, [police] departments have seen good things.”
“Our officers are very positive about it,” she said.
The cameras could impact citizens who would normally come up to an officer and give the officer information. She said, “If they think they’re on video, they might not be as willing to come up to us with that information.”
According to Cpl. Miguez, the initial investment in the cameras is minimal but what gets expensive is the storage of the data from the cameras. “You have to make sure all of this is kept securely. It’s a big expense,” she said.
Annapolis police Chief Michael Pristoop said that the cameras benefit the officers and the community. Throughout the country, more and more police departments are being equipped with the cameras.
