Police Body Camera Program Begins In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD - Starting Friday, some officers in Howard County will be filming as they go about their duties, the Howard County Police Department announced.

A group of 10 officers will try different types of body cameras during a pilot program that will last 90 days. They officers will wear devices that can be attached to glasses or a hat as well as those that can go on the front of their uniform shirts.

During the trial period, two providers - Utility and Axon (formerly known as Taser) - are offering the body cameras for free to the county, officials said in a statement.

The officers in the pilot program will use one company's products for 45 days. Then it will try the other company's cameras for the next 45 days.

A work group including members of the police department, county IT and the state's attorney's office and others developed recommendations that would address privacy, training, accountability, among other aspects of the program.

"The committee spent many months looking at other agencies’ programs and policies to ensure our pilot would include the best possible practices," Chief Gary Gardner said in a statement.

The work group interviewed vendors and attended presentations in other jurisdictions about body cameras before deciding on the two involved in the pilot.

“Our police department has been thorough, strategic and diligent in its preparation for a body camera pilot program," County Executive Allan H. Kittleman said. “Now that the pilot is underway, I look forward to the committee’s findings and recommendations at the conclusion of the test period to determine where we go from here."

The county hired a Loyola University consultant to do the study, who will track that data and help the committee make recommendations at the end of the trial.

"Our goal is to explore the potential for use of this technology in Howard County," Gardner said, "and to assess its value as a law enforcement tool for officers and residents."

Image via Ryan Johnson.