STATEWIDE (WGME) –A new report reveals that body-worn cameras have become the norm for the majority of police agencies in Maine.
However, challenges remain in equipping all departments with this technology.
Commissioned by the Maine Attorney General’s Office, the report aimed to assess the extent of body camera use across the state, including their costs and the reasons some agencies have yet to adopt them.
The Maine Statistical Analysis Center at the University of Southern Maine conducted the research and subsequent survey, gathering responses from 107 agencies.
Findings indicate that 70% are currently using body-worn cameras, while 21% are considering implementation and 8% have no current plans to do so.
“Body-worn cameras are widely supported by the public and are being utilized at higher rates than ever by law enforcement agencies. They are a critical tool in assessing equitable policing and ensuring public confidence in law enforcement,” Attorney General Aaron Frey said. “This study gives us a Maine-specific baseline to continue important conversations with law enforcement agencies, policymakers and the public about improving our systems.”
Despite the widespread adoption of this technology by agencies of varying sizes, the report outlines several recommendations to enhance the rollout and standardize usage.
It highlights inconsistencies in camera policies among different departments and suggests that the state provide formal guidance on their use. The report also details a lack of consistency and clarity regarding the length of retention of the video records and cooperation with the state’s public records law.
George Shaler, a senior research consultant at the Maine SAC, noted the variability in policy and suggested a statewide standard could bring more consistency and transparency.
“I think it’s a tool that can be really beneficial for law enforcement, and it builds trust,” Shaler said. “As more and more departments adopt these, you’re seeing them responding to be more accountable to their communities and their communities have more confidence in their departments, and I think that’s what we need these days.”
The report also encourages more agencies to explore federal grants to finance body camera programs due to their significant costs. While larger departments may find these expenses manageable, smaller agencies often struggle with the initial outlay and the ongoing costs associated with video storage.
“The departments that are either considering body-worn cameras right now or have no plans in the foreseeable future, it’s a cost issue,” Shaler said. “For a larger department, that’s not a huge barrier, but for smaller departments, that’s significant outlay and then there’s also ongoing costs because body-worn cameras generate a lot of video, and you need to store that video, at least for a certain period of time.”
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Publish date : 2024-09-23 07:44:00
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