PA State Police In Delco, Montco, Philly Get Body-Worn Cameras

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Pennsylvania State Police in Philadelphia, Delaware, and Montgomery counties are now equipped with body-worn cameras updated mobile video recorders in their patrol vehicles.

Authorities Monday announced the new development in their law enforcement efforts in Toop K.

According to state police, the rollout of body worn cameras to the Philadelphia region was expected, this completing the project with Troop K ahead of schedule.

So far, PSP troops covering 19 counties have successfully implemented body-worn cameras. State police expect to have fully implemented body-worn cameras and updated mobile video recorders at all of its troops by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

"The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to increasing the public's trust in law enforcement, and these cameras are an important part of that," Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, said. "The use of body-worn cameras demonstrates our commitment to ensuring police interactions are respectful and constitutional. The cameras also provide concise capture of evidence in criminal cases and enhance our training opportunities."
The implementation of the body-worn cameras by PSP has drawn praise from legislators, as noted below.

"At each touchpoint between our criminal legal system and members of our communities, it's crucial to take every measure possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all who are involved," state Senator Nikil Saval, Chair of the Senate's Philadelphia Delegation, said. "I'm grateful that the Pennsylvania State Police have prioritized the implementation of body-worn cameras and am glad to see them adopted by the officers who work in Philadelphia. I hope they will be tools to imbue respect and foster accountability in every interaction between officers and neighbors across our city."

"This is a pivotal step forward in enhancing transparency and accountability within our law enforcement agencies," State Rep. Morgan Cephas, Chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation, said. "The commitment fulfilled by the Pennsylvania State Police to equip all officers of Troop K with body cameras is not just a response to a single incident; it is a response to the call from our communities for greater oversight and trust. These cameras are a vital tool in protecting both our citizens and our officers, providing clear and objective accounts of interactions. I commend Governor Shapiro and the Pennsylvania State Police for their leadership and dedication to this crucial initiative. Together, we are building a foundation for safer and more just communities across our Commonwealth."

The PSP began using mobile video recorders in patrol vehicles two decades ago, but the dash-mounted cameras have a limited view of events, recording only incidents in front of the patrol vehicle. The enhanced mobile video recorders provide a wider view of events, and cameras worn by troopers can capture video and audio of public interactions and calls for service, even if troopers are away from their vehicle.

The department initiated a rollout of body-worn cameras in 2023, beginning with Troop H, Carlisle station in Cumberland County. Body-worn cameras were next introduced throughout Troop H in the middle of the state.

Now, all stations in troops A, B, G, H, and K have implemented body-worn cameras. This includes all stations covering Adams, Allegheny, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin, Montgomery, Perry, Philadelphia, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

The department entered into a five-year contract, with an option for renewals, with Arizona-based Axon to provide the cameras, as well as the necessary software and infrastructure.