Boston Police Command Staff Agree to Body Cam Pilot Program

BOSTON, MA — Eight members of the Boston Police Department's command staff have reportedly agreed to begin using body-worn cameras, after debate over the BPD pilot program landed in court this week.

In a statement, Boston Police said Superintendent-In-Chief William Gross and seven other members of the command staff will be trained and equipped with body worn cameras as they perform their street duties.

“When I asked members of my command staff to volunteer to wear the cameras, they all stepped up,” said Boston Police Chief William Evans said in a statement. “I have the best department in the country and I am committed to getting this program started for the benefit of the community and my officers out there every day.”

It is unclear, however, how much time the command staff members will be spending in on-the-ground situations.

According to BPD, "The commanders who will be participating all have duties that may require them to be out in the community responding to critical incidents and overseeing special events across the city."

Read More: Boston Police Body Camera Pilot Program Goes to Court

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

Although they will wear the cameras for the entirety of the proposed program, command staff members will not be part of the pilot's study group. Their agreement to participate appears to be a means of setting the example, as leaders with the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association continue their opposition to starting the program at this time.

The BPD and BPPA are in court this week, where BPPA argues the department moved too fast by assigning officers to participate in the program, after none volunteered during the specified window. Read more here.

That case is expected to be decided Friday.

Image courtesy BPD