All West Hartford Police Department officers who are interacting with the public will use body worn cameras as of Monday, Feb. 14, 2022.

All West Hartford Police Department officers will be wearing Axon body cameras as of Feb. 14, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Police Department has completed training for all personnel, and will launch their body-worn camera program on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, requiring all members of the department who are interacting with the public to wear a camera.

All West Hartford Police Department officers will be wearing Axon body cameras as of Feb. 14, 2022. Courtesy photo

West Hartford Police began testing several models of body cameras a year ago, and after extensive research chose the Axon product.

Provisions of “An Act Concerning Police Accountability,” CT House Bill 6004 which was signed into law in 2020 includes the provision that “police officers in all state, municipal, and tribal law enforcement units” utilize body cameras as well as dashboard cameras. The mandate takes effect as of July 1, 2022.

West Hartford Police purchased 140 cameras – with much of the cost paid for through American Rescue Plan Act funds, and has issued units to and trained all department members – including the chief.

Sgt. Amanda Martin (left) instructs Off. Christopher Campbell on use of the Axon body camera. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Axon cameras have a 12-hour battery life, and can be charged in vehicles as well as in docking stations at headquarters. They have the ability to shoot video at 30 frames per second, in 1080 high definition, and include a GPS. The cameras download the video to Evidence.com when docked at police headquarter, Sgt. Amanda Martin explained, as she trained Off. Christopher Campbell, a two-year member of the department, in the use of his Axon camera.

While not totally waterproof, the cameras are highly water-resistant and have worked after being immersed for 24 hours, she said.

All West Hartford Police Department officers will be wearing Axon body cameras as of Feb. 14, 2022. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Even when the “event” button is not activated, the cameras are always buffering with 60 seconds of video, but when activated include audio as well. The only time the cameras should be put into “sleep” mode is when officers are inside headquarters and not with members of the public, and signs are posted throughout the building as reminders to activate and deactivate the mode.

Signs on the doors of the West Hartford Police Department remind officers to turn their cameras on “sleep” mode when entering the building and make sure they are on when they leave. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

“BWCs are a great tool for law enforcement and the community because they act as an impartial witness and hold individuals accountable, therefore building trust,” Martin said in the announcement of the program.

The Axon cameras also can be used off body – to be an extra set of eyes for officers to safely view something happening above their line of vision, for example.

Dashboard cameras are also required under the act, but West Hartford Police have already had those since 2013. The current Watchguard models are, however, being replaced with the Axon Fleet 3 camera system for consistency and seamless operability.

There are different categories of video, which determine how long the clips must be retained. Video is stored through Evidence.com, and the storage capacity is unlimited, Martin said.

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