'An Impartial Witness': West Hartford PD Starts Using Body Cams

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford has become the latest Connecticut town to implement a body camera program for its police force.

As of today, all officers interacting with the public will wear a body camera, officials announced. Every sworn member of the department has been assigned a camera and was trained on its use, Public Information Officer Sgt. Amanda Martin said.

The department bought 140 Axon cameras, which officers chose after testing and evaluating several different brands, Martin said in a news release.

West Hartford has had cameras in its police cars since 2013, Marin said, but the move to equip officers with body cameras began in response to state accountability laws and as a way to enhance transparency and the safety of officers and citizens.

"BWCs are a great tool for law enforcement and the community because they act as an impartial witness and hold individuals accountable, therefore building trust," Martin said.

Martin said the department also plans to switch to the Axon Fleet 3 camera system in its cars for "consistency and seamless operability."

West Hartford officers first began testing and evaluating body-worn cameras while in the field in January 2021.

Read more: West Hartford Cops Evaluating Body Camera Systems