Body Camera Use Begins At Alexandria Police Department

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Body camera use by Alexandria police officers is starting to be rolled out, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

The police department announced the body camera program began Monday. Body cameras are small devices officers wear on their uniforms to capture video and audio of interactions with the public. The devices are seen as a police accountability measure and a way for officers to build trust with the public as well as capture footage for investigations and court proceedings.

"APD is excited to implement the body-worn camera program," said Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes in a statement. "We remain committed to building positive relationships with our community and continuously improving our policing practices to ensure the safety and well-being of all Alexandrians."

Body cameras will capture video and audio recordings of officers' activities, including traffic stops, arrests, and interactions with the public.

"Police were behind in having something to record from their point of view," said Yvonne Callahan, a community activist who contributed to the body camera policy. "The cameras will help by providing reassurance that the police are acting appropriately, and [the footage] is going to provide a more comprehensive picture to the public at large."

The police department is providing 30 body cameras per month to officers until all sworn officers have one. Officers are being trained on how to use the body cameras.

"As part of the deployment, APD will conduct comprehensive training for our officers on the proper use of body cameras, including when to activate and deactivate the cameras, as well as how to handle and store the recorded data," said Lt. Jason North, the police department's chief of staff and the body camera program coordinator. "The department has also established guidelines and protocols for the handling, review, and release of body camera footage to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protection of privacy rights of individuals."

The body camera pilot program received implementation funding in the fiscal year 2023 city budget approved by Alexandria City Council as well as federal funds in the omnibus spending bill as requested by Rep. Don Beyer. The Alexandria Police Department is Northern Virginia's last full-service law enforcement agency to implement a body camera program, Beyer had noted in his federal funding request.

The latest city budget proposed by City Manager James Parajon would add Commonwealth's Attorney's office staff for the body camera program. Police department additions of two sergeants and one information technology engineer for the body camera program were funded in the fiscal year 2023 budget.

More information is available on the police department's body camera web page.