LSSD Police officers are now required to wear body cameras
A Lake Stevens Police Department body camera, worn by officer Dennis Irwin (Keely Vincent)
November 1, 2022
The times we live in are very different now in comparison to how our parents or grandparents went to school. There are many different laws and regulations that have matured overtime. One in particular now states that all Washington state law enforcement officers are required to wear body cameras. Washington State has recently passed a law that requires offices in our school districts, and all over Washington, to now be outfitted with body cameras while on patrol.
“I actually made space on my vest to make sure it would fit, and I have been waiting for like two months too for it to get here.” says Cavelero Police Officer Dennis Irwin.
In an interview with Officer Irwin, the benefits of the body cameras were clearly outlined. One of those is the day to day activity of law enforcement with the body cameras; he explained that the only thing that is really different in his day is that he just has to turn it on. Something simple that some of us forget is that police officers are just as human as the rest of us, sometimes they can be viewed with obscured opinions because of the tasks that they might be required to handle. He also stated that he, as well as the other officers, have a 30 day learning curve to get the hang of this new progressive technology.
The technology of the body camera itself is also very interesting. The camera is always recording no matter what, but only when a certain button is pressed. The camera takes the last 30 seconds of film and starts from there, although when the button is not pressed there is no audio on the video, but it still captures what is going on. All officers are required to press the record button whenever their assistance is needed.
As previously mentioned, there are many different opinions about body cameras. But most actually are glad and relieved that the Washington police now have them. It has been a huge help to law enforcement, because they now have a new tool that can really help with the everyday incidents that need their assistance.
According to Officer Irwin, “It adds a different perspective of what had happened,” He then went on to explain that the body cameras are there to catch footage of incidents, and whether that be footage of a cop making a mistake or the criminals wrongdoing, it is a very key piece of evidence that could make or break some cases for law enforcement.
