Acton Police Department Launches Body

August 24, 2023 by Robert Mills

Chief James Cogan is pleased to announce that the Acton Police Department has launched a pilot program to test body-worn cameras in anticipation of launching a more comprehensive program within a few months.

Beginning this week, five patrol officers and a supervisor, each of whom volunteered for the program, will be wearing body-worn cameras as they go about their duties.

The officers work on all three of the department’s shifts, and will activate their cameras during all interactions with the public that are a result of a call for service, or any investigative or enforcement activity. Officers will keep in consideration the expectation of privacy when activating the body-worn camera in certain areas, such as private residences or hospitals.

The purpose of the pilot program is to test various cameras as the department seeks to find a vendor to supply additional cameras for a more comprehensive program.

“We are currently in the testing and evaluation phase of our program, as we seek to determine which vendor will be the most effective for us moving forward,” said Chief Cogan. “We want to notify the Acton community that our department is taking this step and that some of our officers are now equipped with body-worn cameras.”

Funding was approved by Acton Town Meeting, which appropriated $100,000 to start the program. The funding will also pay for body cameras for additional officers in addition to vehicle cameras after the conclusion of the pilot program.

The Acton Police Department is also applying for grant funding for a more comprehensive program, and will also be fine-tuning policies and procedures for use of body-worn cameras that are in accordance with law enforcement best practices.

Prior to the launch of the pilot program, the department completed research into policy and best practices, and developed formal policies for camera use and data storage.

President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing placed a priority on body camera research and camera programs. The Task Force’s final report indicated that officers wearing body cameras had “87.5 percent fewer incidents of use of force and 59 percent fewer complaints than the officers not wearing the cameras.”

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