Alexandria Police Department Equips All Officers with Body Cameras

The Alexandria Police Department in Virginia has become the latest police force to deploy body cameras for its officers.

The first 30 officers have been equipped with their cameras.

The system is top of the line and includes several features that automate starting the cameras, North said. This includes technology in an officer’s holster for his gun and taser. When an officer removes his weapon, his camera automatically turns on.

“As police officers, we are human, so we can feel overwhelmed by the intensity of a situation, the stress of a situation. There are a lot of things to deal with at this critical time,” North said.

For those and other reasons, North said that automating the start of the camera becomes “a huge relief” not only for the department but also for the officers.

While some departments choose to only equip certain officers with the cameras, Alexandria police made them mandatory for all sworn members of the force.

“From the police chief to the line patrol officer, everyone will be wearing a body camera,” North said.

When it comes to what officers think about the program, North said early in the process, the department contacted officers about the cameras and the feedback, he said, was overwhelmingly in favor of the program.

“They agreed that this would enhance their ability to do their job, gain the trust of the community, work in partnership with the community, and also help them improve as police officers who can only use these videos as a training point,” North said. .

Videos taken by the camera will be uploaded to a secure cloud source, according to North, which will retain the footage for several years. North said all sworn officers should have cameras in their uniforms by January 2024.

“As a police department, we recognize that having a body-worn camera is a good practice. We are confident this meets the expectations of our community and will also allow us to better support our officers who do a very difficult job day in and day out,” North said.