STPD Officers begin wearing body cameras.

On Thursday October 11^th, 2018, Springettsbury Township Police officers began wearing body worn cameras on patrol. In addition to having in-car video cameras in their patrol vehicles, officers will be equipped with the WatchGuard Vista Wearable Body Camera. It functions as a camera and DVR combination to collect video and audio evidence.  Police Officers will wear the camera near or at the center of their chest, on the outer most layer of clothing.

The SpringettsburyTownship Police Department’s use of body worn video camera technology will be a valuable tool in accurately documenting events, actions, conditions and statements, made during investigative stops, field interviews, arrests and critical incidents. Body worn cameras are a valuable asset intended to assist officers in the prosecution of certain offenders by augmenting an officer’s testimony with a video/audio record of the incident. Although it doesn’t capture everything the officer sees, it will be beneficial for court and will document a clearer picture of what happened during an incident.

The use of the cameras increases transparency and also provides an opportunity to capture the good work that the police officers do on a daily basis.  Additionally, this equipment will enable department administrators to conduct periodic reviews of officer-citizen contacts, for quality control purposes and will aid in the investigation of citizen complaints.

Chief Daniel Stump would like to thank the Springettsbury Township Board of Supervisors for their support in the implementation of this program.