Rockland Police Unveil New Body Camera Program, Fully Funded by State Grant

$170,000 state grant covers cameras, software, storage and training; aims to improve safety and accountability

ROCKLAND, MA- June 18 - The Rockland Police Department is rolling out a new body-worn camera program this summer, fully funded by a $170,000 state grant. The initiative aims to improve officer safety, encourage de-escalation, and increase departmental transparency and accountability.

Police Chief Nicholas Zeoli and Lt. Brian Coakley presented an overview of the program during the June 18 Select Board meeting. The cameras will be worn by all officers by late July, following a pilot program involving several officers.

"The use of body cameras is really in line with best practices in law enforcement, as outlined throughout the nation," Chief Zeoli said. "And the state did a big study on it and did a big review and made recommendations about body cameras."

The cameras, which attach to uniforms using a high-powered magnet, are designed to be user-friendly for officers. With a single push, the camera activates, and a double push deactivates it. The cameras also have automatic downloading capabilities when placed in a docking station at the end of each shift.

"It's that simple. It's really — you can't really mess it up," Lt. Coakley explained. "There's no officer really responsibility other than just pushing that button."

The cameras operate on a 30-second continuous loop, capturing video without audio prior to activation. Once activated, both video and audio recording begins.

Chief Zeoli emphasized that the cameras are not automatically activated and that officers have discretion in certain situations, such as when interviewing victims of violence. However, in high-stress or violent scenes, officers are expected to have the cameras on.

The implementation of body-worn cameras has been shown to reduce the use of force incidents and complaints from the public. Chief Zeoli noted that the cameras also protect officers from wrongful complaints.

"It lends itself to increased departmental transparency and accountability for both the police and the public, and it positively impacts the quality of investigations to help document crime scenes," he said.

Select Board members expressed support for the program, recognizing its potential benefits as a learning tool and safeguard for both officers and the community.

"I think that it seems like it would be a safeguard because in the heat of the moment, people remember things differently," Select Board member Tiffany Needham said. "Whereas if you roll up on something and it's, you know, high energy, to be able to say, no, this is what you said. This is what happened."

The Rockland Police Department's body-worn camera program is part of a growing trend among law enforcement agencies in the region, with many surrounding communities already utilizing the technology. By implementing this initiative, the department aims to enhance its service to the community while promoting transparency and accountability.