City police Body Worn Camera training expected to begin this month

PLATTSBURGH | City of Plattsburgh Police Chief Pete Mitchell expects training with the department's new Body Worn Camera (BWC) equipment to begin at the end of this month. Their new police body cameras will likely begin use in July. The nearly $200,000 Motorola Solutions system adds 23 body cameras and seven police cruiser cameras to the city police department. Body and vehicle cameras are integrated. The purchase was supported by a $100,000 state grant. The monies come through a program developed to improve public safety. Last year, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul announced funding would be available for police technology upgrades through the state's Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The governor's office reported in May this year that total 378 law enforcement agencies, including the City of Plattsburgh, responded with requests for funding. The state has provided a total $127 million to support technology improvements for police and sheriff's offices outside of New York City. Plattsburgh City Police Chief Mitchell said use of body cameras will be good for transparency, for public safety, and for the safety of city police officers. Plattsburgh Common Council was apprised of the timeline for implementation at their last meeting. Policy for use, called a general order, is being reviewed now by police union attorneys, Chief Mitchell said. Training is expected to begin at the end of June. Councilor Elizabeth Gibbs asked if training would be during or in addition to the police officer's work day. "It's a part of the work day," Chief Mitchell said. But like gun range training, it would be scheduled during the six-hour shifts officers work in conjunction with regular 12-hour shifts. Mitchell said training should take two days. Councilors asked if there would be a city policy for redaction: ie. removal of footage captured on police cameras when footage is released for public view. "There isn't a policy on that," the chief said. "We don't have the software for that." Mayor Christopher Rosenquest said the City Clerk would be in charge of redaction. Police body camera footage would be subject to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, which go through the City Clerk's office. Recommendations for redaction could be made by law enforcement if there is an open and ongoing investigation. BODY WORN CAMERAS REQUIRED Use of body worn cameras is a requirement for a growing number of law enforcement agencies. In June of 2020, the New York State Assembly and Senate passed a law requiring use of body worn cameras by all New York State Police troopers. The law says "the purpose of the program is to increase accountability and evidence for law enforcement and the residents of the state by providing body-worn cameras to all state police officers while on patrol." New York State Police (NYSP) have maintained formal policy on Body Worn Cameras since 2021. According to state police policy, body cameras must be activated: Immediately before exiting a patrol vehicle to interact with a person or situation. All uses of force, including any physical aggressions and uses of non-lethal or lethal weapon. All arrests and summonses. All interactions with people suspected of criminal activity. All searches of persons and property. Any call to a crime in progress. Investigative actions where there are interactions with members of the public. Any interaction with an emotionally disturbed person. Any instances where Members feel any imminent danger or the need to document their time on duty. Federal agencies have also added required use of body cameras. In January this year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) updated Body Worn Camera policy, requiring "the use of BWCs in all aspects of ICE enforcement activities conducted by ICE personnel in furtherance of the ICE mission, excluding certain investigative activities."

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City police Body Worn Camera training expected to begin this month

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