WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – The Washington Township Police Department announced the deployment of body-worn cameras,
The police officers are now outfitted with L3 Mobile Vision body worn cameras that will work in conjunction with their current in car camera systems. The cameras will be worn on the front of their uniforms on the upper chest area, facing forward, Washington Township Police Chief Jeffrey Almer said.
The initial camera system was paid for in part by grant funding from the state, and their required ongoing use and support costs, including future replacement costs, will become part of the annual departmental budget, Almer said.
“The body worn camera system and the recordings have become a valuable tool to law enforcement for evidential and investigative purposes. They are critical in aiding law enforcement in the prosecution of criminal, traffic, and all other related offenses. They also hold officers to a higher standard that is expected of them by the department and public, promotes transparency, and in addition, protects officers from false claims of misconduct as well as other accusations made against them,” Almer said.
The use of the body worn cameras will follow the guidelines as set forth by the New Jersey Attorney General, as well as guidelines set forth by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Almer said.
“We are looking forward to using them to memorialize the ongoing good work that our officers do on a daily basis. The Officers in Washington Township promote professionalism and are dedicated towards serving the residents of the township, and the body cameras are latest tool added to ensure that we do just that, Almer said.
