Santa Monica police could soon be joining other Westside cities and the Los Angeles Police Department in requiring its officers to wear body cameras.
The department announced this week a pilot program that is slated to begin Sept. 12. After a six-month period, a comprehensive and measured evaluation will be undertaken to assess the program’s effectiveness in terms of legislative requirements, the needs of the police department and community expectations, states a Santa Monica Police Dept. Press release.
“To maximize the value of this pilot program, the Santa Monica Police Dept. is working with a research team from California State University Fullerton to evaluate the body-worn camera technology,” states the release.
Last year, the Culver City Police Dept. installed dashboard cameras in its patrol cars and will soon require its uniformed officers to wear body cameras. LAPD is the largest major metropolitan city to outfit their officers with cameras.
Police officials say they will be seeking public input on the body cameras through public surveys. For information on the pilot program or the surveys, please call 310-458-8400.