The Medford Police Department has officially hit the streets with a high-tech upgrade, as a selected crew of 33 officers strapped on body-worn cameras today in a move to ramp up accountability and bolster public trust, as per reports by Boston 25 News. This initial rollout is part of a trial phase that kicked off on December 4, and it's not just for show; seven supervisors are in on the action too, sporting the devices as they patrol and keep the peace.
Setting a foundation of transparency, which is the kind of drama we're here for, Medford's finest are hitting the pavement with tech in tow, and the rest of the force is expected to join the camera-clad ranks the first week of January. This pioneering period aims to iron out any technical kinks and get the officers up to speed on when to hit record—because, let's face it, not every moment on the beat is primetime viewing, according to the details from both WHDH.
Every officer will be rocking the cameras like their latest must-have accessory during patrols and while on detail assignments, making sure every vital interaction is captured for posterity, or at least for the department's dedicated server. "The launch of our new Body Worn Camera Program marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and strengthen the trust between our officers and the community we serve," Medford Police Chief Jack Buckley heralded in a statement obtained by WHDH.
An all-encompassing squad from the Medford Police Patrolmen’s Association to the Mayor’s Office has put their seal of approval on this initiative; the new eyes-on-the-street policy was brought to light by their collective oversight and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office's nod of approval, and every cop in the program has been schooled in the art of camera-wielding by the Body-Worn Camera unit and Motorola Watchguard, the tech behind the lens, the Medford Police statement from Boston 25 News specified.
