Body Cameras Issued To Millburn Police Last Week: Here's Why

MILLBURN, NJ — The Millburn Township police joined the growing ranks last week of law enforcement officers who must wear video cameras on their bodies.

The state of New Jersey now makes body-cams mandatory for police departments, guided by state rules passed in January 2022.

The cameras have been used in capturing interactions between law enforcement and the community, for example, recent startling video in North Jersey in a case in which a man shot at police. READ MORE: 'I've Been Hit': Shocking Video Shows Fatal North Jersey Police Shootout

As of last Tuesday, Oct. 4, according to the Township of Millburn, "All uniformed police officers and detectives have been outfitted with Motorola V300 camera to increase the quality of interactions with the community and to more accurately capture encounters. These cameras will be worn on the front, center of the police uniform shirt or vest."

Police Chief Brian Gilfedder said, “Our Millburn Township police officers work tirelessly each day to forge strong community relationships. The new body-worn cameras will serve as a valuable tool for our officers, not only in gathering information but also in our evaluation and training procedures.”

Officers will announce the use of the cameras, when appropriate, and they'll be visibly attached to the exterior of the police uniform, police said.

Visual and audio recordings from body-worn cameras will help the Millburn Township Police Department provide a dependable evidentiary record and enhance the accuracy of police reports, they said.

The cameras shall be used as per the Millburn Police Department Body-Worn Camera Policy, which is in accordance with guidelines established by the New Jersey Attorney General and directives issued by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, they said.

Read more about recent crimes in Millburn on Millburn/Short Hills Patch here.

Read more about the cameras in a release from the town here.