MAYOR BARAKA AND PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR AMBROSE LAUNCH BODY-WORN AND DASHBOARD CAMERA PILOT PROGRAM
MAYOR BARAKA AND PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR AMBROSE LAUNCH
BODY-WORN AND DASHBOARD CAMERA PILOT PROGRAM
Panasonic donates equipment for body-worn and dashboard camera pilot program;
Cameras will increase accountability and transparency for police interaction with public
Newark, NJ–April 26, 2017—Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, and Panasonic Systems Communications Company launched the body-worn and dashboard camera pilot program for the Newark Police Division at a press conference today at Panasonic’s Newark Headquarters.
The program, comprising 80 body-worn cameras and 15 dashboard cameras, will increase transparency by allowing interactions between police and citizens to be recorded. The program was made possible through a donation of cameras from the international electronics giant.
“The City of Newark is honored to share in the development of this important public safety initiative with Panasonic,” said Mayor Baraka. “The benefit to the residents of our City through the introduction of this new technology is immeasurable and our partnership with this iconic global corporate partner, which calls Newark home, is a reflection of the company’s commitment to the well-being of this community.”
Use of the equipment will also enable Police Division administrators to conduct periodic reviews of officer to citizen contacts for quality control purposes and to aid in the investigation of citizen complaints.
“Panasonic is a proud corporate citizen of Newark and we are pleased to be able to demonstrate our support for our community by donating 80 Panasonic Arbitrator Body-Worn cameras and 15 Arbitrator In-Vehicle cameras to the City,” said Faisal Pandit, Senior Vice President, Panasonic Systems Communications Company.
Certain uniformed officers will wear the camera near or at the center of their chest on the outer most layer of clothing.
The camera is black and is about three inches in length by two inches in width. It becomes activated when a button on the front of the camera is pushed or the patrol vehicle’s lights and siren are activated, revealing a lighted indicator.
Pursuant to State Attorney General Guidelines, police will verbally notify individuals of camera use unless it is unsafe or infeasible to provide notification.
“I welcome the use of body-worn cameras to assist police officers in their interactions with the public,” Director Ambrose said. “The addition of this equipment is a significant step toward deepening community trust, raising the standard of customer service we provide to the public and ensuring the safety of both citizens and police officers. I am thankful to Panasonic for making this generous donation on behalf of the City of Newark.”
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For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website
To visit the City of Newark’s official photo galleries for this event:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/newarkpressoffice/sets/72157649909195497/
