After policy set, Fairfax Co. police to test body-worn cameras
By Dick
Uliano
FAIRFAX, Va. — Fairfax County police are
expected to begin testing body-worn cameras later this year, after the police
department completes — and the Board of Supervisors approves — a set of guidelines
governing the use of the cameras.
Policy must still be nailed down on issues
including how best to protect privacy; when cameras are to be turned on and
off; when it’s appropriate to redact video and how long video should be
retained.
“The goal is to start the pilot project as
soon as possible. Whether that is July or sometime after Labor Day will depend
on the work ahead,” said Chief Edwin Roessler with Fairfax County police.
The Board of Supervisors Public Safety
Committee has set a mid-June deadline for final submission of body-worn camera
policy. Once the policy is in place, police will conduct a pilot program with
the cameras for 90 days or more.
“My intent is to have two vendors for the
pilot project and test and evaluate at two different police district stations,”
Roessler said, indicating that two different brands of body-worn cameras will
be tested.
While Fairfax County began discussing
body-worn cameras in 2014, the program has lagged behind others in the area.
All D.C. police officers are equipped with the
cameras, about 900 are in use in Montgomery County and Arlington has a pilot
program underway involving 25 officers and sheriff’s deputies. Prince George’s
County police say they are implementing the first phase of their program during
the first three months of this year.
“I don’t think it’s taking too long. I think
the Board and staff are committed to this, and I think we’re doing it right,”
said Fairfax County Executive Ed Long.
Fairfax has set aside about $1.9 million to
evaluate and then launch its police body-worn camera program.
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