Starting this month, all uniformed Livingston Police officers will be equipped with body-worn cameras, following the passage of New Jersey laws requiring their use. The Watch Guard Motorola V300 body cameras will now be worn during the duration of each officer’s shift. These devices will record every interaction that officers will have with the public, who stands to benefit from their implementation.Should something occur that would need to be reviewed, there will now be a video recording of the interaction. These recordings should also be available to members of the public by filing an Open Public Records Act request.Certain high-profile incidents that have transpired over the past few years have made transparency in policing more paramount than ever. In announcing the deployment of this technology, which began in the department on February 8, Livingston Police Chief Gary Marshuetz noted that transparency with the people the LPD serves “has always been a primary goal.” The use of body-worn cameras marks a huge step in achieving this objective.These cameras are a way to make members of the public feel safer, as their interactions with officers should now be documented by video. In line with local police departments’ community policing efforts over the past few years, these devices also provide officers another opportunity to fortify trust with the public.It should be said, as well, that these cameras are not only good for the public, but for the officers who wear them. There will now be proof to back up their accounts of, for example, a traffic stop where the driver might levy incorrect or misleading accusations. Chief Marshuetz also noted that the video recorded can be a “powerful tool” for training and mentoring officers. He also said that the presence of these cameras will show the professional and dedicated hard work provided daily by Livingston’s officers.These cameras are a two way street, ideally making interactions better on both sides of the badge. We are pleased to know they are now being utilized in our community.
