Donelle S. O’Neal Sr., TMM4/AC

Resolution requesting the Select Board, Town Administrator and Human Resources Director to work with the Police Department to adopt and implement an in-car and body worn camera policy for the Police Department

To see if the Town will adopt the following:
RESOLUTION PERTAINING TO THE ADOPTION OF AN IN-CAR VIDEO AND
BODY WORN CAMERA POLICY FOR THE BROOKLINE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WHEREAS, In-Car Video (“ICV”) and Body Worn Cameras (“BWC”) are considered to
be effective law enforcement tools that reinforce the public’s perception of police
professionalism and preserve factual representations of officer-civilian interactions; and

WHEREAS, ICV and BWC may be useful in documenting crime and accident scenes or
other events that include the confiscation and documentation of incidental evidence or
contraband; and

WHEREAS, ICV and BWC are expected to enhance the Police Department’s ability to
document and review statements and events during the course of an incident, and preserve
video and audio information and evidence for investigative and prosecutorial purposes; and

WHEREAS, although ICV and BWC recordings may provide only a limited perspective
of encounters and incidents, and thus should be considered with all other available
evidence, such as witnesses’ statements, officer interviews, forensic analysis, and
documentary evidence, studies have shown that ICV and BWC are a contributing factor in
reducing complaints against police officers, increasing police accountability, and
enhancing the public trust; and

WHEREAS, the policy of the Brookline Police Department is to respect the legitimate
privacy interests of all persons in Brookline, while ensuring professionalism in its
workforce, and therefore, Brookline Police Officers should only use ICV and BWC within
the context of existing and applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and the
Department’s rules and policies;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved, that Town Meeting requests the Select Board, along
with the Town Administrator and Human Resources Director or their designees, to work
promptly, constructively, and collaboratively with the appropriate members of the
Brookline Police Department to adopt a policy pertaining to the use of ICV and BWC by
Brookline Police Officers, and that the use of such equipment be implemented as soon as
practicable. Be it further resolved that funding for the purchase, maintenance, and storage
of ICV, BWC and recordings from such equipment be included in the Brookline Police
Department Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget.

Or act on anything relative thereto.