Shrewsbury Police Department implements body worn camera program

The Shrewsbury Police Department has announced the implementation of a Body Worn Camera program in phases.

The first phase of the pilot program, started on April 7, 2023, involves 8 patrol officers and 2 patrol sergeants who will be equipped with the Motorola V300 Body Worn Camera system. These 10 officers volunteered to participate in the program, which aims to evaluate and assess the technology and staffing requirements for a fully implemented program.

According to Chief Kevin Anderson, the program represents the department’s commitment to “21st century policing, which we place emphasis on transparency, and building trust and legitimacy between our department and the community that we serve”

The second phase of the program, which is expected to be implemented by the Fall of 2023, involves the operational implementation of Body Worn Cameras for every patrol officer and patrol supervisor. This phase is expected to provide additional insight into the effectiveness of the Body Worn Camera program in improving community-police relations and enhancing the safety of both officers and community members.

The Motorola V300 Body Worn Camera system is designed to meet the demands on the front line, with Bluetooth and WiFi, encryption, and an IP67 rating. The V300 continuous-operation body camera also features a detachable battery and 128GB of storage space to ensure officers can complete an entire shift without interruption. The camera provides distortion-free video at up to 1080p resolution, with an electronically-adjustable lens for optimal aiming.

The initial cost of the Body Worn Camera equipment is covered by earmarked funds from the general state budget, thanks to the assistance of Senator Michael Moore and State Representative Hannah Kane, the law enforcement agency stated.