New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira addressed the timeline of officer worn body cameras within the New Bedford Police Department on Thursday August 10th. Chief Oliveira noted,
“It really depends on the company (Axon), I have a meeting with them next week so it is tough to say. But you’re probably looking sometime early 2024.”
It was announced on July 12th 2023 that bodycams will be coming to the department. After months of negotiation, the City and the New Bedford Police Union entered a new collective bargaining agreement which increased police wages, benefits, and paved the way for the use of body-worn cameras by all officers.
Chief Oliveira went on stating,
“I’ve done a lot of speaking with the Fall River police chief who recently implemented (body-cams) out there and its not one of those things that you can just pass out 250 cameras, turn the switch on and go live. Theres quite a bit of training and expertise thats going to be needed before the switch gets activated.”
Along with body-cams, Mayor Mitchell has noted that they are investing in new weapons, tasers, cameras, cruisers, and we will see more of that in the weeks and months ahead.
