Crime & Safety
State Police Start Body Cam 'Pilot'
The State Police have begun a body camera program as part of the reforms the department promised last year.
BOSTON — About a year after state officials announced a plan to "restore the public's trust" in the State Police, following an overtime scandal and audit that led to numerous suspensions and sudden retirements, the department said the body cams they promised are here.
Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin announced Monday that she's begun a body camera "pilot program" as part of the promised reforms.
“Body cameras offer the potential to bring a new level of officer safety, transparency, and accurate documentation to the tens of thousands of interactions our personnel have with the public every year,” said Gilpin in a release.
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Some 100 troopers will help the department evaluate devices from several vendors during the next six months, based on which fits the State Police mission, according to police.
The cameras are supposed to provide an additional level of accountability for state troopers during interactions with the public, to increase officers' safety and to improve documentation of their actions.
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The State Police Association of Massachusetts has partnered with the Baker-Polito Administration in employing the new tech.
During the past 10 months, Gilpin has also required the instillation of GPS systems in all patrol cruisers, with expansion to other cruisers planned; eliminated the former Troop E with its duties of patrolling the Turnpike and Tunnel System rolled into three separate geographic barracks, increasing oversight and capabilities; instituted quarterly audits of the Department’s top 50 earners to ensure adherence to relevant policies, rules and regulations; increased staff in the Internal Affairs and Staff Inspections Sections for increased accountability; and contracted with a major audit firm to review Departmental payroll functions.
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Previously on Patch:
State Police's Latest Controversy Could Be Criminal
File photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch
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