In an effort to increase transparency, the Pennsylvania State Police is celebrating a significant milestone: all troopers and their patrol cars are now outfitted with the newest video equipment.
Now, when they begin their shift, all 3,000 or more state troopers in Pennsylvania will fasten a camera to their clothing.
Colonel Christopher Paris, the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, stated, “All stations now have patrol troopers equipped to record public interactions and calls for service, providing essential video documentation of encounters and investigations.”
Paris declared on Thursday that PSP finished their two-year bodycam implementation on budget and weeks ahead of time.
“Body-worn cameras protect both civilians and troopers. Cameras serve as an objective witness to public interactions. They capture real-time audio and video that can clarify what occurred in contentious or high-stress situations,” he stated.
Paris claimed the State Police’s dash cams could only view what was right in front of the patrol car, so they upgraded the cameras in all 1,400 of their patrol cars.
“These new cameras are capable of capturing footage from a wider perspective, allowing for better coverage of the surrounding area,” Paris stated.
According to Paris, the perception of policing can be significantly impacted by body-worn cameras.
“The Pennsylvania State Police, like all law enforcement agencies, faces more scrutiny than ever from a public that rightfully demands interactions with troopers to be safe, respectful, and constitutional,” he stated.
They hope the technology increases troops’ trust and transparency.
“We rely heavily on the trust placed in us by the communities we serve. Our aim is to strengthen that trust by documenting our public interactions and demonstrating our commitment to transparency, accountability, and respectful police services,” Paris stated.
According to Paris, the camera footage will also improve evidence collecting at crash and crime sites and aid in training and policy formulation.
“These cameras also provide crucial evidence for investigations and legal proceedings. The video can corroborate testimony, reveal the truth, and dispute encounters and help ensure that justice is fairly served,” he stated.
Source: CBS News
