Bloomfield Cops Will Use Body Cameras

Bloomfield, NJ – If you encounter a Bloomfield police officer on patrol after June 10, he or she will be wearing a body camera.

According to the Bloomfield Police Department, all patrol officers will begin utilizing body cameras on Friday in an “effort to continue improving police accountability and community relations.”

Bloomfield police stated that the 22 cameras will be assigned to officers when their shift begins and returned at its conclusion.

The videos will be downloaded into a central database for future use and analysis, police said.

The cameras will utilize the same server and database system as the existing police dashboard cameras, which will “avoid potentially costly hardware and software expenses by tying into existing systems that were recently upgraded,” police stated.

According to authorities, the cameras were first deployed in a pilot program that began in March, and are expected to be used by all on-duty patrol officers starting on June 10 after a training session held the preceding week.

According to police, the cameras were purchased by the BPD for approximately $14,000, of which $10,000 was covered by the state’s Body-Worn Cameras Assistance Grant Program.

"When I became mayor I could not have imagined how far our Bloomfield Police Department would have come in such a short time,” Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia said. “The announcement that all of our patrol officers will soon be outfitted with body cameras is another in the many steps this department has taken toward becoming one of the state's most effective, transparent and progressive policing units.”

"Body cameras encourage accountability from officers and trust from the residents they serve, reduce the chance of negative encounters and provide evidence that can settle disputes and avoid lawsuits,” Venezia added. “I am very proud to see Bloomfield continue to be on the cutting edge of progressive local policy and commend the BPD for continuing to join in that vision."

• See related article: Are Blacks, Latinos Pulled Over More In Bloomfield? Police Deny Study's Claims
• See related article: Bloomfield Cops' Use Of Force Is On The Rise: Study

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