Wearing of body cameras proposed for officers

The Kauai Police Department could become the first law enforcement agency in the state to use body cameras next summer.

The department plans to buy 141 cameras for $134,000 and begin using them by June or July, Police Chief Darryl Perry said.

"The camera basically records incidents as they occur without editing," Perry said in an emailed statement. "This gives an accurate depiction of what transpired and comes as close as possible to having an unbiased eyewitness at the scene. The recordings are not subject to editing, alterations, or modification, and is safely secured and stored from tampering."

The Kauai Police Department conducted a monthlong pilot project earlier this year on the use of the cameras.

Police departments in Hono­lulu, Maui and Hawaii island are researching the possible use of body cameras.

Police will pre­sent their plans to the Kauai County Council at a Jan. 7 special meeting. Perry said officials with the department began researching body cameras at a conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police more than a year ago.

The Honolulu Police Department is reviewing how law enforcement agencies on the mainland are handling the video data, including its use and storage, spokes­woman Michelle Yu said.

A report by the national Police Executive Research Forum noted that "when implemented correctly, body-worn cameras can help strengthen the policing profession."

"These cameras can help promote agency accountability and transparency, and they can be useful tools for increasing officer professionalism, improving officer training, preserving evidence and documenting encounters with the public," the report stated.

Use of the technology also raises issues at the policy level. "Police agencies must determine what adopting body-worn cameras will mean in terms of police-community relationships, privacy, trust and legitimacy, and internal procedural justice for officers," the report said.

The Mesa Police Department in Arizona, Fort Collins Police Department in Colo­rado, Salt Lake City Police Department in Utah and Rialto Police Department in Cali­for­nia are among law enforcement agencies that have officers using body cameras.

Kauai Prosecutor Justin Kollar said he supports police officers’ use of the technology and trusts that the Police Department will use discretion to respect the privacy of both community members and police officers. "The cameras are not going to be the cure-all in every case, but they are another helpful tool to help us understand what exactly happened in a given situation," he added.