BELCHERTOWN — In October 2023, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced an award of over $3.6 million in grant funds to 52 local police departments for the implementation or expansion of body-worn camera programs in communities across Massachusetts.
Belchertown, which currently does not have a body worn camera program until now, received approximately $59,000 to create one.
Police Chief Kevin Pacunas said that the department has finally received the equipment and all 23 sworn officers, including Pacunas, will be required to wear the body camera.
He added, “I am pleased we were able to implement a BWC program. The officers are also pleased as it was agreed upon in their recently signed collective bargaining agreement.”
Body cameras are said to have many benefits including increased accountability, increased trust and increased transparency. Their recordings can help with evidence collection and training and improvement.
Pacunas talked about how important these body worn cameras can be for officers and the community.
He said, “The body cameras will help promote trust, transparency and confidence that our community has in our Police Department. Also making the Police Department more accountable to the community. Body cameras protect both citizens and officers by preserving an objective and factual representation of encounters between the police and the public.”
When this grant program was first distributed in 2021, it said that 10% of Massachusetts municipal departments operate a body-worn camera program.
However, a poll conducted by the Massachusetts Chief of Police Association indicated that 75% of departments in both major cities and smaller communities are interested in starting a program.
“These grants provide local police agencies with resources to implement technology that strengthens police-community relations while improving investigations and advancing the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “This investment reflects our administration’s commitment to increasing public safety, promoting best practices among law enforcement, and nurturing strong relationships between police and the communities they serve.”
According to Pacunas, the body cameras will be mandatory for everyone but will not always be recording.
“They will be turned on anytime an officer is on a call for service. They will not be on for personal conversations, meal breaks, roll calls, meetings, private settings, etc.,” he added.
On all motor vehicle traffic stops the officer will introduce himself and advise the operator they are being audio and video recorded.
All body worn camera recordings will be retained for at least 180 days.
Recordings for investigations involving death, lethal use of force and sexual assault will be retained indefinitely.
