FREDERICK, Md. – In the wake of the Ferguson shooting, President Barack
Obama has
voiced support for police body cameras. But for departments around the D.C.
region, this technology is nothing new.
The department in Laurel, Maryland has had a camera program in place since
spring of 2013.
According to Laurel Police Chief Richard McLaughlin, officers now have 32
cameras available to them.
McLaughlin calls the program a “tremendous asset.”
In D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department is in the middle of a six-month
pilot program, allowing officers to test different models of cameras.
The police department in Frederick, Maryland is now considering cameras as
well.
“It would either disprove the officer or it would prove the officer’s
observations were correct,” says Frederick Police Lieutenant Dwight Sommers.
“Ultimately it would validate complaints whether it be from a citizen of the
officer.”
Sommers is hoping for 12 cameras, and he’s awaiting word from the city on
whether the necessary funding is available.
Baltimore’s mayor vetoed a bill that would have required police body cameras,
though she says the issue is still being considered.
According to the @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.
