What's Happening in Rosedale, MD…

After years of planning and work, Baltimore police are getting their body cameras, and the training to use them. According to a news article in the Baltimore Sun, on May 26 a training class met to learn how to use the devices, and there were lots of questions.

Officer Natasha Hill

wondered what sort of discretion is afforded to officers who are interacting with or interviewing children. Hill said she knew such meetings are sensitive. The instructor, Sergeant Habib Kim, said officers are allowed to turn the cameras off, after they state the reason they're going to do so. However, Sgt. Kim also said police should err on the side of recording too much rather than too little.

The program will take two years before all officers are equipped with the cameras and trained in their use. Sgt. Kim said that officials of the department consider “protecting people's dignity” as a priority, and urged the officers to be professional and respectful, and to treat the videos as if the officers were filming someone they knew and cared about. Kim added that the videos will never be used to track people who are not committing crimes, such as protestors, or to create databases.

Students in Kim's class will start using the cameras right away. Another class, which had about 25 officers in it, is already operating the devices.

Law enforcement officials could work with a flyer printing company to create a mailer for community residents, explaining how the program will benefit everyone.