Every full-time sworn officer in the Dedham Police Department now wears a body camera.
The department announced Oct. 26 that it had equipped all full-time lieutenants, sergeants and patrol officers with Motorola V700 cameras. The launch caps a process that began during fiscal year 2022, when the Town of Dedham negotiated the program with the Dedham Police Association and the Dedham Police Patrol Officers Association, the two unions representing the department's full-time sworn ranks.
After securing funding, the department worked with the Town Manager's Office and both unions to write a policy governing how the cameras would be used, how footage would be stored and when recordings could be retrieved. After a review of products from multiple vendors, the department selected the Motorola V700.
All officers have completed training.
When cameras roll
The cameras will be visible on officers' clothing but will not record at all times. Officers are required to activate them when delivering police services, such as during a traffic stop. When safety allows, officers should tell members of the public they are being recorded, the department said.
In sensitive situations, officers will have discretion to turn cameras off. The department's announcement stated that Dedham police "are committed to respecting the legitimate privacy interests of all members of the public."
What the department says the cameras will do
The department said the program will preserve factual records of officer-civilian interactions, support de-escalation and help resolve citizen complaints. Footage will also serve as a training tool.
The announcement cautioned that body-camera recordings "provide limited perspective of encounters and incidents and must be considered with all other available evidence," including witness statements, officer interviews, forensic analysis and documentary evidence.
The number of officers equipped and the total cost of the program were not included in the department's announcement. The full text of the body-camera policy has not been published.
