SALEM — The city has moved one other step nearer to having cops put on body cameras, officers introduced Tuesday afternoon.The city, the police division and the Salem Police Patrolmen’s Association have reached an agreement concerning the implementation of cameras.With an agreement in place, officers now transfer forward with the method of drafting a use coverage, buying the cameras and storage {hardware}, and coaching the officers, with a watch towards implementing their use by early subsequent yr.
In a joint assertion from the mayor, police chief, union and the city’s Race Equity Task Force, the cameras had been described as a way of bettering transparency, selling officer integrity, defending officers towards unfounded complaints and offering proof for investigations.That use coverage is predicted to be posted on the division’s web site for overview previous to the cameras being put into use.The city’s funds referred to as for $90,000 for preliminary prices and one other $65,000 per yr in every of the next 4 fiscal years, for a complete of $350,000. The city is now within the technique of acquiring the cameras and pc {hardware} and packages that may permit for pictures to be saved and accessed. The city can also be in search of state grant funds to offset the price of these future phases.Dominic Pangallo, chief of employees to Mayor Kim Driscoll, mentioned the patrolmen’s union has agreed to 6 hours of coaching.
The cameras are amongst suggestions made by the Race Equity Task Force in a report issued earlier this yr.“We are dedicated to serving our public transparently and professionally,” the mayor mentioned in a press launch. “Body-worn cameras are a key device to fulfill these essential objectives constantly and equitably. They shield officers from inaccurate accusations of misconduct, and so they shield the general public by guaranteeing accountability for police actions.”“The implementation of body-worn cameras is essential to me because the chief of the Salem Police Department, as a profession police officer, as an advocate for wise, honest policing, and as a resident of Salem,” mentioned Salem police Chief Lucas Miller. in the identical joint assertion. Miller acknowledged the associated fee but in addition touted the advantages, together with aiding in police investigations.The union issued an announcement of help for the cameras, saying they are going to function “an added degree of safety for all events concerned.”“As at all times, we’ll proceed to help initiatives that uplift our beloved neighborhood and shield our neighbors, buddies, and households, the union’s assertion mentioned.The Race Equity Task Force’s public security subcommittee chairman, Thomas Macdonald, additionally supplied reward for the cameras, one of many key suggestions of the duty pressure’s report and one thing he mentioned “are sure to be a useful gizmo in at this time’s policing setting.”Courts reporter Julie Manganis could be reached at 978-338-2521, by e mail at [email protected] or on Twitter at @SNJulieManganis
Courts reporter Julie Manganis could be reached at 978-338-2521, by e mail at [email protected] or on Twitter at @SNJulieManganis