Buffalo Grove Police Will Begin Wearing Body-Worn Cameras In August

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — While all police officers in Illinois will need to be wearing body-worn cameras by Jan. 1, 2025, the Buffalo Grove Police Department is opting to get its program up-and-running well in advance. In August, all officers will be wearing BWCs as part of their standard uniform, according to the Village of Buffalo Grove.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act was passed in 2021, giving all police departments in the state a deadline of the close of next year to implement the program. According to the Village, Buffalo Grove officers have undergone training, and internal testing is currently underway. BWC experts within the department are making sure the system is functioning properly

According to officials, body-worn cameras increase transparency, public and officer safety, accountability of law enforcement and documentation of situations.

The BGPD has also set a goal to have its fleet cameras (dashcams) upgraded and integrated with the bodycams this fall. Bodycams and dashcams will be activated and recording any time an officer has an encounter with the public and during critical incidents. The new technology will integrate the recordings from both cameras, "allowing for effective and efficient reviews of encounters and incidents."

Learn more about the BWC program here.