Maui Police Launch Study on Use of Body-Worn Cameras

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By Wendy Osher

The Maui Police Department’s Plans, Training, Research and Development Section has scheduled a one month feasibility study on the use of body-worn cameras by officers.

The department released information today saying the study is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 6, 2015.

A spokesperson with the department said the results of the study will assist the Maui Police Department in making informed decisions about the implementation of this technology in the future.

Last week, the state House advanced a bill that would provide matching funds to the Honolulu Police Department for the purchase of body cameras for the proposed establishment of a pilot program on Oʻahu. The bill now crosses over to the state Senate for further consideration.

In the state Senate, a separate bill was introduced that would appropriate funds as a grant-in-aid to each county for the purchase of body-worn video cameras and law enforcement vehicle cameras to be used by each county police department; provided that no funds appropriated to a county shall be expended unless matched dollar-for-dollar by the county.

SB199 was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee in February.