Nassau County Police To Get Body Cameras Under Pilot Program
UPDATED 5/19/15 8:35 AM
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Body cameras are coming to the Nassau County police force.
Thirty-one county police officers from the 1st, 3rd and 5th precincts will test 62 body cameras from three vendors as part of a yearlong pilot program.
"This pilot will enhance the transparency, promote accountability and advance public safety for our officers and the communities in which they serve," acting police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter said Monday. "Now that we are in a world in which anyone with a cellphone camera can record video footage, body cameras will give the police point of view."
Nassau County Police To Get Body Cameras Under Pilot Program
In a year, officials will determine if the body cam program should be permanent, even expanded.
Legislator Kevan Abrahams calls the program a win for all.
Nassau County Police To Get Body Cameras Under Pilot Program
"This is an added protection for our police officers and also adds a level of public confidence for our residents," he said. "This is a win-win for everybody."
James Carver, president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, said he'll seek an injunction with the Public Employment Relations Board against the body cams until the program can be properly negotiated.
"You announce something, you pick a date, and you don't know even know what you're talking about yet. Where's the transparency they talk about?
"What's the policy? What's the training? There's a lot of questions here."
The $150,000 program is being paid for out of county operational funds.
The program is scheduled to begin Aug. 1.
