Body-Worn Cameras For Reston Cops Begins Next Week

RESTON, VA -- Police officers in the Reston District Station will start wearing body-worn cameras as part of a pilot program for Fairfax County next week.

Chief Edwin Roessler proposed the pilot program back in December 2016, and last November the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to implement the program in 2018. It was initially set to begin in March, but the county will start phasing in the cameras a bit earlier than that, with full implementation expected by March 13.

"In total, 230 cameras will be distributed to officers at our Mason, Mount Vernon, and Reston district police stations," according to a statement from the Fairfax County Police Department. "These locations were selected due to the diversity of the communities, and the varying types of calls for service and incidents resulting in the use of force. Not every officer at each of these stations will be issued a camera. We are working with a research team at American University who will gather and study data over the course of the pilot program. It is important to have a control group in each station to allow for a more accurate compilation of data."

Officers are expected to activate the camera during any law enforcement encounter with the public.

"The officer should start recording at their arrival/response, or as soon as it is practical and safe to do so, and leave it on for the duration of the incident," the report states. "There are several circumstances and locations where our officers will not record. Our policy for the body worn camera pilot program was drafted with community stakeholders, including leaders of special interest, civic, and business organizations."

Image via FCPD