In a unanimous vote, the City Council in Portland, Oregon, has approved $2.6 million for permanent police body cameras, marking a significant step towards the city catching up with other major U.S. police agencies. This decision comes after years of negotiations and a 60-day pilot program that equipped 150 officers with cameras.
Portland has been the last among the 50 largest police departments in the country to deploy body cameras, but this settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice has finally pushed the city to implement a body camera policy. The settlement was a result of a 2012 lawsuit filed by the federal government, which alleged that Portland’s police used excessive force against individuals with mental illness.
Under the new policy, all approximately 800 uniformed officers who interact with the public will be equipped with body-worn cameras by the summer. However, only around 300 patrol officers will be required to wear them routinely during their shifts. The remaining officers, including detectives and sergeants, will put on their cameras when they have interactions with the public.
One of the major points of contention during negotiations was whether officers who use deadly force should have access to camera footage before providing statements or being interviewed by investigators. Ultimately, a compromise was reached, and officers will not be able to view their camera footage until after they have provided an audio-recorded statement to internal affairs within 48 hours of the incident.
Mayor Ted Wheeler acknowledged that the implementation of this policy will take time and emphasized the importance of proper training and understanding of how these tools will work. The approval of the body cameras is seen as a crucial step towards increased transparency and accountability within the Portland Police Bureau.
With the City Council’s decision, Portland joins the majority of major U.S. police agencies in adopting body camera technology. This move is expected to enhance public trust and confidence in law enforcement and provide valuable evidence for investigations into police incidents.
