Boston Police Body Camera Pilot Program Goes to Court

BOSTON, MA — The Boston Police Department and Boston Police Patrolman's Association are in court thsi week, confronting a much-debated body-worn camera pilot program that's stalled to a halt.

In court, the Boston Police Commissioner argued he has authority to assign the cameras. The union head said Patrolmen don't oppose the program. So, what's the holdup?

It's a question of whether or not police officers volunteer, but the city contends it has the right to enforce the Boston Police Department's body-worn camera pilot program if no volunteers come forward (and they haven't). The Patrolmen's Association, meanwhile, argued a "grey area" of uncertainty on implementation of the program.

Police Commissioner William Evans reportedly took the stand Tuesday, speaking in support of the program, despite previous, publicly expressed reservations.

Read More: Police Commissioner Says 'Resistance to Change' Impedes Body Camera Pilot

The BPPA and BPD reached an agreement this July on implementation of the program.

The BPPA filed suit two weeks ago, alleging the department violated its collective bargaining agreement when it assigned cameras to officers by lottery, despite the previous agreement for a voluntary program. The city claims the BPPA has been discouraging officers from participating.

Multiple outlets have reported the details out of Tuesday's court proceedings. You can read The Boston Globe's story here, and coverage from The Boston Herald here.

The hearing resumes Wednesday. Patch will update this story.

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