Body Camera Program Launch Coming To Alexandria Police Department

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria police officers will soon begin to wear body cameras as the program begins in April.

Body cameras are small devices officers wear on their uniforms to capture video and audio of interactions with the public. The devices are seen as a police accountability measure and a way for officers to build trust with the public.

Alexandria Police will provide body cameras to officers on a "rolling basis." The police department expects all sworn officers will have a body camera within a year.

The body camera pilot program received implementation funding in the fiscal year 2023 city budget approved by Alexandria City Council as well as federal funds in the omnibus spending bill as requested by Rep. Don Beyer. The Alexandria Police Department is Northern Virginia's last full-service law enforcement agency to implement a body camera program, Beyer had noted in his federal funding request.

The latest city budget proposed by City Manager James Parajon would add Commonwealth's Attorney's office staff for the body camera program. Police department additions of two sergeants and one information technology engineer for the body camera program were funded in the fiscal year 2023 budget.

A policy covering the body camera program is being drafted. That policy will cover areas like when an officer will use a body camera to record and when body camera footage will be released.

Once the draft policy is ready, it will be posted online for public feedback.