Boston to get 400 Body Cams After Pilot Program Finds Benefits

Boston to get 400 Body Cams After Pilot Program Finds Benefits

Boston Police Department is looking to phase in 400 body cameras after a yearlong pilot program showed benefits of the tech.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Aug 06, 2018

Boston, Mass. Mayor Martin J. Walsh said that the city will begin a full-scale police body camera program, two years after officers were asked to conduct a yearlong pilot program of the technology.

Confirming the conclusion of an analysis released earlier this year, a report of the pilot program found that the number of complaints against officers who used the cameras, as well as the officers' reported use of excessive force, dropped slightly. The mayor called this "small but meaningful benefits" for residents and the police officers.

The report found that placement of the cameras on the officers did not alter their regular work activities or reduce their productivity. It also stated that there was no noticeable different in the number of dispatched calls received, officer-initiated calls, crime incident reports completed, arrests made, or Field Interrogation and Observation reports, which include incidents in which an officer stops someone based on a suspicion. 

The mayor said the first phase will include the purchase of up to 400 cameras and related equipment. He offered no details on which officers would wear the cameras, or when, but he noted that the city had committed $2 million in startup costs for the fiscal year that began on July 1.

The mayor said he is in discussions with the city's police unions, who initially went to court to stop the pilot program, over how to phase in the program.

Police Commissioner Williams Evans said that the city will likely roll out the program in each of its five coverage areas one at a time.

"I think everyone has a greater appreciation for the cameras," Evans said. "The public realizes it is a good thing, and the police officers realize it is a good thing."

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • UL Solutions Launches Artificial Intelligence Safety Certification Services

    UL Solutions Inc., a global leader in safety science, today announced the launch of artificial intelligence (AI) safety certification services, enabling comprehensive assessments for evaluating the safety of AI-powered products. Read Now

  • ESA Announces Initiative to Introduce the SECURE Act in State Legislatures

    The Electronic Security Association (ESA), the national voice for the electronic security and life safety industry, has announced plans to introduce the SECURE Act in state legislatures across the country beginning in 2025. The proposal, known as Safeguarding Election Candidates Using Reasonable Expenditures, provides a clear framework that allows candidates and elected officials to use campaign funds for professional security services. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

    Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.