Body Cameras Coming To Malden Police Force

MALDEN, MA — Malden police officers will start wearing body cameras under a new agreement between the police department and the city, Mayor Gary Christenson and Police Chief Kevin Molis said.

Officers will be able to record, document and save their daily interactions with the public. The data can be used as evidence, as a means of determining training needs or as a method of assessing officers' actions in the field.

"I want to thank all of those who were involved in this mutually agreed upon endeavor," Christenson said. "While technology alone cannot exclusively deliver our hope, vision and commitment to the best practices of policing for our community, body worn cameras are a crucial step forward as we continue to build on our police department's commitment to increase transparency and enhance public safety."

The police department touted body cameras as its latest community engagement effort. In the past, the department has conducted outreach through the Junior Police Academy, athletic coaching/mentoring, school resource officer, substance abuse support, NARCAN training, mental health response, domestic violence initiatives and less lethal/de-escalation practices.

"The willing acceptance of a body camera initiative is an extension and evolution of the Malden Police Department's already proud history of public service and community engagement," Chief Molis said. "Every day, Malden police officers respond to a variety of situations and circumstances that require a vast array of knowledge, skills and resources. The use of body cameras will document the great and oftentimes heroic work that our officers perform on a regular basis in a way that is lasting and transparent. I can also say with great confidence that it will reveal how fortunate the people of Malden are to be served by our officers in a City that truly cares not only in words but in its actions."

Access to body camera videos will be determined under the Public Records Act.