Crime & Safety
North Andover Police Work To Implement Body-Worn Cameras For Officers: Reports
Police and town officials have said it's a priority to find funding for body-worn cameras for officers, according to reports.
NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The police department said it is working to implement body-worn cameras for officers, MassLive reported.
The news comes after the acquittal of Kelsey Fitzsimmons. The former police officer had been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.
Read more: Judge Issues Verdict In Case Of Ex-North Andover Police Officer Fitzsimmons
Find out what's happening in North Andoverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Police Chief Charles Gray said costs for body-worn cameras had kept them out of the department's reach. But he said that cameras are now a priority and will be a focus of the department's budget, MassLive reported.
Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues confirmed that the town is working with the police on such a program and that it is a "stated goal of the Select Board," according to Boston.com.
Find out what's happening in North Andoverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The town will seek grant funding to help offset the expense for taxpayers.
Read the full story at MassLive.
Read the full story at Boston.com.
Fitzsimmons, 29, was accused of pointing a gun at another officer while being served a restraining order. However, Fitzsimmons said she only aimed the gun at herself and never pointed it Officer Patrick Noonan.
A judge ruling on the case noted that the prosecution could have perhaps "easily met its burden" if officers were wearing cameras at the time.
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