Capitol Police Launches Body-Worn Camera Program to Build Public Trust

The U.S. Capitol Police said that body-worn cameras will not be used inside the congressional buildings or during interactions with Members of Congress.

U.S. Capitol Police officer on a bike in Washington on Jan. 2, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) launched a 180-day body-worn camera pilot program on Monday to protect its officers, promote de-escalation tactics, enhance service to Congress, and build public trust.

Around 70 volunteer officers, who primarily work outside the halls of Congress, will be equipped with body cameras throughout the program. Additionally, 11 USCP cruisers will be outfitted with dashboard cameras.

“I was confident that the cameras would do two things. First, they would remind the public just how challenging the law enforcement profession can be,” USCP Chief Tom Manger said in a press release.

“Second, the cameras would also showcase the great work our cops do day in and day out. This is a great accountability tool for everyone,” he added.

The USCP said body-worn cameras are intended to record public interactions requiring a police response. Police officers will need to manually activate the cameras and inform people if they are being recorded.

The cameras will automatically record video and audio when officers pull out their firearms or tasers. Meanwhile, the dashboard cameras will automatically record when the cruiser’s emergency lights are activated.

The USCP said that body-worn cameras will not be used inside the Capitol or during interactions with Members of Congress in order “to protect the Constitutional duties of Member of Congress.”

A task force consisting of sworn and civilian supervisors in the department will analyze feedback after the pilot program is completed. Mr. Manger will then send a recommendation to the USCP’s congressional stakeholders.

As of October 2018, more than half of the United States had no rule dictating where, when, and how body-worn cameras had to be used, the Urban Institute said. Several states have enacted new regulations since then.

In 2015, at least 37 states and the District of Columbia considered body camera legislation, while 20 of those states and the District enacted new laws, according to the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York, for example, passed laws in 2020 requiring officers to wear cameras on the job, though the New York law only applies to state police.

With some exceptions, such as cases where civilians request that cameras be turned off, the laws require police to record every encounter they have with members of the public.

Audio and video recordings from body-worn cameras are often sought after police killings, including the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin. Prosecutors used Mr. Chauvin’s body-camera footage to help convince a jury to convict the former officer.

Reuters contributed to this report.