EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Paul O’Brien is pleased to announce that the East Bridgewater Police Department will be launching a new body-worn camera program in the fall after recently receiving funding to purchase cameras and equipment from law enforcement technology provider, Utility, Inc.
The East Bridgewater Police Department is applying for grant funding to help pay for the program, where as many as 26 officers will be equipped with body-worn cameras.
Initial funding for the body-worn camera program was allocated to the department from a $25,000 Executive Office of Public Safety and Security grant acquired by State Rep. Alyson Sullivan’s office. The East Bridgewater Board of Selectmen then voted to support the project and allocated $53,976 in American Rescue Plan Act funding. To pay for the remainder of the program the department will also be utilizing funds from it’s budget and will seek additional state and federal funding sources.
“Thanks to the generous support from our local State Rep. Alyson Sullivan and our Board of Selectmen, we will be able to launch our department’s first body-worn camera program, which will align us with established law enforcement best practices around the country,” Chief O’Brien said. “With the addition of these cameras, we will be able to continue to build upon the trust our department has within our community while also ensuring accountability on both sides. I thank all our officers for their willingness to support this initiative and those who assisted us in acquiring these cameras.”
The program is expected to launch in October. At this time, the department is still finalizing its formal policy for body-worn camera use and data storage.
Additional details regarding how the program will work and the timeline of the department’s training and technology deployment will be shared as the department and Utility, Inc. continue to collaborate to develop a project plan.
The 5-year, $200,820 contract with Utility, Inc. includes outfitting officers with BodyWorn cameras, which are embedded in the officers’ uniforms to prevent them from detaching. The camera technology offers features like a two-minute buffer, which allows for capture of two minutes of video prior to the camera being activated, along with automatic, policy-based recording triggers designed to remove the burden from the officers to turn on the cameras.
The department is also utilizing Utility’s RocketIoT in-car video communications to allow for WiFi connectivity in cruisers that pair with the cameras in order to automatically upload footage.
Once the program is ready to be implemented, the department will be hosting a press conference to announce the launch, where media members can take part in a demo of the equipment with support from Utility Inc. staff. The department’s finalized body-worn camera policy will be shared and made available on the East Bridgewater Police Department website.
About Utility
Utility, the innovative technology-enabled service provider recognized for creating groundbreaking digital systems for frontline professions, provides a universe of intuitive products for effectively capturing, managing and releasing video evidence. Technologies include a variety of cameras, sensors and devices as well as situational awareness software solutions for law enforcement, first responders, transportation agencies and utility providers. To learn more about Utility and its technology solutions, please visit utility.com.
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