The Parker Police Department launched a body-camera pilot program Thursday; select officers will be outfitted with the devices for two months to test the viability of their use department-wide.
Parker’s use of the increasingly common law enforcement tool comes as agencies across the country report that similar programs in their jurisdictions result in fewer community complaints and fewer use-of-force incidents, according to Parker police.
“In an effort to remain transparent and continue to maintain the public’s trust, the body worn cameras are a tool we’ve chosen to implement for our department,” Parker Police Chief David King said in a . “Policing in the 21st century has required that law enforcement keep up with not only the department’s needs but the community’s needs, as well.”
Over the next two months, department leaders will review policies and procedures for use of the cameras, as well as test their capabilities, including for data storage and retrieval. The department will also eye criminal case law as it applies to the cameras and redaction of footage.
The department news release makes it clear the cameras are being eyed for use across the department.
Parker is not the first metro area police department to launch a body cam pilot program. , Denver Police Chief Robert White announced that the department was outfitting 800 officers with body cams for a 6-month trial this year. That pilot program was by an independent department monitor who found that only one out of every four use-of-force incidents involving officers was recorded on the devices for reasons including officers failing to turn them on and technical malfunctions.
Parker police are encouraging residents to sign up to ride along with officers on patrol and to take part in the department’s upcoming citizens police academy program. For more information about Parker police and its programs visit .
Joe Rubino: 303-954-2953, jrubino@denverpost.com or twitter.com/RubinoJC
