DC transit chief approves cop body cams by 2023
Victoria Rees
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Washington’s transit cops will be wearing body cameras using a US Department of Justice grant of $905,000 as soon as its new procedures are approved.
The Metro Transit Police Department will equip its 490 officers with body worn cameras (BWC) within a year, according to police chiefs.
The new equipment is designed to create an additional layer of transparency for sworn officers who protect Metro customers and employees, according to police chiefs around the capital.
“This grant gives us the ability to move forward with implementing a body worn camera program similar to those of our peers in the region,” said Transit Police Chief Michael Anzallo.
“Our focus remains on safety, transparency and building community partnerships. I believe implementing this new program is another positive step in the right direction for the department.”
The MTPD has an authorized strength of 490 sworn officers, 170 special police officers, and more than 100 civilian personnel.
The department is unique in US law enforcement as it is the only police agency in the country that has full police authority in relation to a multi-state metro system. The MTPD has authority in three jurisdictions: Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC.
Body cameras are implemented to increase transparency and provide evidence of a law enforcement interaction.
The grant was first awarded in December but the at the end of June the MTPD confirmed it had has begun implementation and the BWCs will be operating by 2023.
The force will have new internal operations policies and officer use practice, which are now being reviewed by the DOJ.
The MTPD also plans additional public outreach prior to program rollout, in addition to efforts to procure equipment and training officers.
The MTPD has seen national attention for its zero-tolerance policy of crime and disorder, which includes eating and drinking, seen as an embodiment of the ‘broken windows’ philosophy of crime reduction.
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