New Jersey Troopers Getting Body Cameras Under New Policy
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey is buying 1,000 body cameras to equip all its state troopers who are out on the road and announced policies for local police on how the cameras should be used.
Acting Attorney General John Hoffman unveiled the details Tuesday. New Jersey is among the first states with plans to put them on all state troopers.
New Jersey Troopers Getting Body Cameras Under New Policy
"Putting our state at the forefront of states within the United States of embracing this technology," Hoffman said.
The cameras and computer upgrades have a price tag of $1.5 million. The devices are to be bought in batches over the next year. Hoffman said they will add 100 or so every six to eight weeks, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported.
"One of the reasons we want to do that is we want to also build an opportunity to study the roll out," he said.
The state also plans to use $2.5 million in forfeiture funds to help local police buy cameras.
New Jersey Troopers Getting Body Cameras Under New Policy
Hoffman also issued a statewide policy on the use of the cameras and announced a new directive that promotes transparency in deadly force investigations, 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet reported.
"This is all about maintaining public trust at our police officers," he said.
Hoffman said most of the interactions with the public will be recorded. Exceptions will include crime victims or witnesses who might feel intimidated.
Police cameras have been growing in use, particularly amid calls from civil liberties advocates after high-profile shootings by police, including last year in Ferguson, Missouri.
For more information about the body camera program, click here.
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