HARVARD, Mass.- Harvard police began using body-worn cameras September 1 as the department launched a new program supported by a $127,716.20 grant from the Commonwealth’s Body-Worn Camera Grant Program.
The funding allowed the Harvard Police Department to purchase Axon camera technology, supporting equipment, secure digital evidence storage and officer training, according to Police Chief James D. Babu.
The department said implementation involved months of grant preparation, policy development, coordination, system installation, testing and training. The program was developed to protect privacy, comply with Massachusetts law and establish procedures for handling recordings.
Body-worn cameras will provide documentation of calls for service, criminal investigations, arrests, traffic stops and other police interactions. Officers will activate the cameras in accordance with department policy and applicable law.
Recordings will be securely maintained and handled under established evidence-retention and public-records requirements, according to the department.
The department said the cameras provide an additional tool for preserving evidence, documenting events, resolving complaints, supporting officer training and promoting transparency and accountability.
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