Agreements reached on use and policies; procurement and training advanced next
SALEM, MA – The City of Salem, the Salem Police Department, and the Salem Police Patrolmen’s Union today announced that they have reached an agreement on the implementation of body-worn cameras by Salem officers in order to improve the transparency of police operations, promote police integrity, protect police officers against spurious complaints, and add valuable evidence to police investigations.
Prior to the implementation of the body-worn camera program, the complete policy governing the cameras use and who will carry them will be available for public review on the department’s website, www.salem.com/salem-police-department.
The Police Department is now in the process of procuring the cameras and the sorting/archiving hardware and software required for their proper and effective use. In addition, officers will be required to go through a training program on their proper use before the cameras are issued.
The utilization of body-worn cameras was a recommendation of the City of Salem’s Race Equity Task Force report, issued earlier this year, and funding for the first phase of the program was included in the FY2022 City budget. A state grant application has been submitted to help fund future phases of the program’s implementation.
With the current timeline, the department anticipates the first grouping of cameras will be ready for use publicly in the first quarter of 2022.
“We are committed to serving our public transparently and professionally,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “Body-worn cameras are a key tool to meet these important goals consistently and equitably. They protect officers from inaccurate accusations of misconduct, and they protect the public by ensuring accountability for police actions. I’m grateful for the hard work of the department, the union leadership, and our Race Equity Task Force community volunteers who have led us to this positive outcome, and to the members of the City Council who voted to fund this critical initiative.”
“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,” said Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller. “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. I am grateful to the Mayor’s office and to the City Council for the support they have already provided and to the Salem Patrolman’s Union for their partnership in this project.”
“The Salem Police Patrolman’s Union is keenly invested in the safety of the community and the officers that protect and serve,” the union stated. “Body cameras are an added level of protection for all parties involved and we support ongoing efforts to provide training and community education during the introduction and implementation period. As always, we will continue to support initiatives that uplift our beloved community and protect our neighbors, friends, and families. We look forward to partnering with Chief Miller and the City to phase in this community initiative.”
“On behalf of the RETF Public Safety sub-committee I am pleased to hear that the Salem Police Department and the Patrol Officers Union have agreed to implement the use of body worn cameras,” said Thomas Macdonald, chair of the Race Equity Task Force’s Public Safety subcommittee. “Body cams was one of the key recommendations of the sub-committee and they are certain to be a useful tool in today’s policing environment.”
