HARRISBURG PA – Digital video “eyes” are now on patrol with all officers of Pennsylvania State Police Troop K, including those assigned to the Montgomery County barracks in Skippack, state police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris said Monday (April 29, 2024).
Paris, in a media release, announced all patrol troopers assigned to Troop K, which covers Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware counties, are now outfitted with body-worn cameras. Additionally, mobile video recorders in their patrol vehicles have been updated.
The state police “expedited the roll-out of body-worn cameras to the Philadelphia region, and completed the project with Troop K ahead of schedule,” the release noted. So far, it stated, troops covering 19 counties have successfully implemented body-worn cameras. The agency said it expects to similarly equip remaining troops by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Paris said he views the cameras as “important” to increasing “the public’s trust in law enforcement.” He described the use of body-worn cameras as demonstrating the agency’s “commitment to ensuring police interactions are respectful and constitutional.” They also provide “concise capture of evidence in criminal cases, and enhance our training opportunities,” he noted.
PA’s history of trooper-equipped cameras
Pennsylvania State Police began using mobile video recorders in patrol vehicles two decades ago. Its earlier dash-mounted cameras supplied “a limited view of events, recording only incidents in front of the patrol vehicle,” according to the agency. The new, enhanced mobile video recorders provide a wider view of events.
Also, the cameras worn by troopers can capture video and audio of public interactions and calls for service even if they are away from their vehicle.
State police initiated a roll-out for body-worn cameras in 2023. It started at the Troop H Carlisle station in Cumberland County. Body-worn cameras were next introduced throughout Troop H in the state’s midsection.
Now, all stations in troops A, B, G, H, and K have implemented body-worn cameras. They ensure improved video coverage in Adams, Allegheny, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin, Montgomery, Perry, Philadelphia, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
The roll-out is being conducted under a five-year contract, with an option for renewals, with Arizona-based Axon Enterprise Inc. It is providing the cameras, necessary software, and infrastructure, the release confirmed.
Photo by George Sheldon on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license
Inclusive Clay Plans New Accessible Ceramic Art Sessions