CU Boulder police latest department to deploy body-worn cameras
The 麻豆视频 Police Department has implemented body-worn cameras for its police officers. Officers will be recording both audio and visual law enforcement interactions between themselves and citizens. Officers are expected to turn on the cameras in most interactions with the public.
In recent years, police departments across the country have found benefit in officers using the equipment to augment their reports and testimony of certain incidents. Additionally, the cameras will enable CUPD administrators to conduct periodic reviews of officer-citizen contacts to ensure high levels of service. CUPD will join the Boulder Police Department and several other law enforcement agencies across the county in deploying the cameras.
鈥淏ody-worn cameras are an important tool for our officers and our community,鈥 said CU Boulder Chief of Police Doreen Jokerst. 鈥淭he use of these cameras strengthens both transparency and accountability for our officers. And it can also de-escalate intense situations to better ensure safety of the public and our officers.鈥
In recent months, the department has been diligent in searching for a vendor, hiring data management personnel and writing an effective policy. CUPD sought input from the CU Boulder Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, University Legal Counsel, Boulder County District Attorney鈥檚 Office and American Civil Liberties Union.
鈥淐hief Jokerst and the CU Bolder Police Department have proven that when police departments are genuinely committed to promoting police transparency and accountability and protecting privacy, they can craft exceptional police body camera policies that serve the needs of all stakeholders,鈥 said Chad Marlow, ACLU senior advocacy and policy counsel. 鈥淭he ACLU is pleased to have been able to work with the CUPD to develop a policy that respects everyone鈥檚 rights and holds them accountable.鈥
Boulder County Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Kupfner added, 鈥淭he District Attorney鈥檚 Office appreciates the opportunity to work collaboratively with CUPD on its body-worn camera policy. The result of this collaborative effort is a policy that balances privacy rights with the needs of the criminal justice system.鈥