FRAMINGHAM, MA - Twenty Framingham police officers and supervisors have begun wearing body cameras today as part of a pilot program within the department. Officials said the staffers will wear cameras for six months. The department developed a body camera policy and will evaluate the program after the period to "identify any gaps in training, functionality or resources before launching the program department-wide." "The pilot program is a continuation of the Framingham Police Department's commitment to upholding the highest level of professional standards, integrity and conduct," chief Lester Baker said. "The body-worn camera program will chronicle the interactions between our officers and the public, building upon the strong foundation of trust and confidence our city has in our department." Officials said the cameras were purchased with grant money and supplied by law enforcement technology company Axon, as part of a five year agreement. Framingham Police Launch Body-Worn Camera Pilot Program The Framingham Police Department is announcing the launch of its Body Worn Camera Pilot Program, with the first officers wearing their cameras starting November 1 As part of the pilot program, 20 officers and supervisors will wear the body cameras for six months. The Department has developed a comprehensive body camera policy and will evaluate the pilot program to identify any gaps in training, functionality or resources before launching the program department-wide. "This pilot program is a continuation of the Framingham Police Department's commitment to upholding the highest level of professional standards, integrity and conduct," said Chief Lester Baker. "The body-worn camera program will chronicle the interactions between our officers and the public, building upon the strong foundation of trust and confidence our city has in our department." Studies show that officers who wear body worn cameras receive fewer complaints. Body worn cameras have also been associated with faster disposition of criminal cases and have been shown to benefit departments by giving them the opportunity to show the public the work that their officers do on a regular basis. The cameras, which were purchased with grant funding from the Office of Grants and Research, are supplied by Axon - a global leader in connected law enforcement technologies. The five-year agreement with Axon will allow Framingham Police access to Axon's digital evidence management solution and provides the entire department with new tasers. "This is a new, exciting technology for the Department," Baker said. "We recognize that modern policing requires modern solutions. I thank the many partners and city offices that worked collaboratively on this initiative, including my command staff, both our supervisors' and patrolmen's unions, Mayor Sisitsky and his staff, as well as Building Services, which worked to outfit our space in preparation for this launch."

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