The Hawaii Police Department today announced officers will begin using body-worn cameras in the South Hilo, Kona and Puna districts beginning Monday.
The rest of the island’s districts will follow shortly after, with the entire island expected to be outfitted before the end of the year, according to an HPD news release.
Body-worn cameras are small cameras that an officer wears on their body. It records interactions between the officer and community members (e.g., the public, victims, and suspects).
“Recordings from the cameras can be used to demonstrate transparency to the public, document statements, observations, behaviors and other things officers may witness, and it can also help deter unprofessional, illegal and inappropriate actions by both law enforcement and the public,” according to the HPD.
The department will be using the Axon Body 2, a camera that is in use by many agencies across the nation. The camera will capture 720p high definition video.
All uniformed patrol officers, community policing officers and traffic enforcement units will be receiving them.
Officers will activate them when they have contact with the public in a law enforcement capacity such as on traffic stops, during arrests, or any call they are assigned to respond to. They will stop the recording once they are done with that incident.
“Officers have received training on and will use their discretion in instances where a victim requests not to be on camera and may turn it off if asked,” HPD said. “However, if the situation requires their taking law enforcement action, the camera will be on.”
All formal requests for videos can be made to the Police Chief’s Office. While it is not a guarantee of receiving the video, all requests will be considered and weighed.
All police videos will be kept for a minimum of two years. Videos that are tied to or associated with a case will be kept for as long as is necessary until the case is adjudicated.
Those with comments or questions can be sent to the Hawaii Police Department’s email at copsysop@hawaiicounty.gov.