More than 1,000 cameras scheduled for deployment by the end of 2017, 22,000 by the end of 2019
New York, New York— Today the New York City Police Department began the rollout of its police officer body-worn camera (BWC) pilot program in the 34 Precinct, covering the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The Vievu cameras will initially be worn by each of the approximately 50 officers on patrol assigned to the 4 P.M. to midnight shift. The rollout will continue to additional precincts through the end of 2017, with a total of 5,000 cameras deployed through 2018, and approximately 22,000 by the end of 2019.
The NYPD body-worn camera program is the culmination of exhaustive research that began in 2014 with a best-practices visit to the Los Angeles Police Department and review of roughly 50 other law enforcement agencies’ programs. Since then, the NYPD has sought the input of more than 30 key stakeholders and advocates, including: NYC’s respective District Attorneys, New York City Council, Public Advocate, New York Civil Liberties Union, Civilian Complaint Review Board, Citizens Crime Commission, Police Executive Research Forum. The general public and members of the NYPD also answered 30,000 questionnaires about BWC, collectively.
