CAMDEN (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey police officers are now required to have body-worn cameras under a new state law that took effect Tuesday.
Gov. Phil Murphy and other state officials visited Camden Tuesday to see how the new mandate is taking shape.
“When used properly, they ensure that there is an impartial record of the facts that can be used when necessary in investigations and in courts,” Murphy said at a ceremony outside Camden County Police Department headquarters.
“Cameras are the truth-tellers. They don’t lie,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (D-Cherry Hill).
Related
Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has directed officers to tell people they’re being recorded when it’s possible. He said everyone behaves better when they know they’re on camera.
“One study that we looked at showed a 50% drop in use of force incidents involving officers who wore cameras,” Grewal said. “Not only does the public want the accountability of videotape, so too does law enforcement.”
Camden County Police has used body-worn cameras for the last five years. Chief Gabe Rodriguez said the cameras help officers to review what went right and what went wrong in encounters with the public.
“Even when the Philadelphia Eagles win the championship, they still review film that following Monday. So that’s what we do here,” Rodriguez said.
Related
“You’ll see people apologize to the officers. Things that don’t often get reported, which are the good things.”
Last fall, half of the state’s police departments did not have body cams. Governor Murphy said all are making a good faith effort to get them, but there’s a supply issue.
“There are some, in fairness, that are awaiting their order to come through," Murphy said. "Not surprisingly, there’s been a run on body worn cameras nationally.”
The state is making $57 million in grants available to local departments to help pay for the cameras and digital storage.