In the next few weeks, the Doral Police Department will begin using body-worn cameras (BWC). Officials have already asked for public input on the program, but residents have another chance to speak regarding this issue.
Many police departments are beginning to use body cameras, which will provide greater accountability on the part of the officers, enhance the public's trust of the department, and make the community safer overall. BWC is considered to be the future of police work, since it creates a permanent record, in real time, of all interactions and encounters between the public and law enforcement personnel.
The cameras will record both video and audio, which creates additional documentation of critical incidents as well as arrests. The records also enhance the ability of the department to review probable cause, the way civilians and police interact, and can provide evidence for investigations as well as prosecution. Finally, the cameras will help to ensure accuracy in descriptions of the incident.
In addition to recording interactions, the cameras may help in creating visual records of accident scenes, and of situations where contraband or other types of evidence is destroyed. When agencies introduce new practices like this, officials can use flyer printing to explain the measure.
The department invites the public to its next workshop about the cameras, which will take place at the Doral Police Training Center on NW 97th Avenue, at 6:00 pm this Wednesday, November 28.
