NJ looking into statewide launch of police body cameras
A Los Angeles police officer wears an on-body camera during a demonstration. New Jersey is looking into a statewide launch of the cameras. (AP file photo)
New Jersey’s Senate has approved a measure creating a task force to weigh in on the statewide use of police body cameras.
Some police departments in the Garden State already equip officers with the cameras.
And the task force would examine how to implement a statewide policy and how to resolve privacy concerns, said Sen. Shirley Turner, D-Mercer.
When cameras are on, Turner said, the public and the police are on their best behavior.
“Those police who have been using body cameras, we have found that there were far less charges of police abuse,” she said Friday. “And police have found that the public acts in a different way, they’re a lot more circumspect.”
The 17-member task force would include law enforcement officials and representatives of civil rights groups. It would have six months to come up with guidelines and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Atlantic City mayor: I’m committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges
In his first public comments since prosecutors on Monday charged him and his wife, Mayor Marty Small said he would not be distracted from his duties.
17 hours ago
The council president says an investigation led by the township solicitor began about three months ago.
17 hours ago
64-year-old Ray Pinney, of Boonton, is raising money for the Dylan’s Wings of Change charity, which helps student leaders.
24 hours ago
