Boston Police Officers To Begin Body Camera Training This Week

Some Boston police officers are scheduled to begin training this week on how to use body cameras.

Community advocates who pushed for the devices said this is a year overdue, but they are cautiously optimistic.

Shekia Scott — co-founder of the Boston Police Camera Action Team, a group that has advocated for the cameras — said gradual implementation feels unnecessary, because the program has already been tested. But the training offers an opportunity to better the police department, according to her.

"The camera helps us take a look inside of our policing system: Does it work? What do those daily interactions look like? And what can we do to improve that?" she said.

Scott will now be keeping an eye on the policies that dictate the use of the cameras, she said.

In a statement, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the city is a model in the U.S. for strong police-community relations and that the goal is to continue building trust between law enforcement and community members.

"We will continue to move forward in implementing a body camera program here in Boston as a way to support the incredible progress we have made in community policing," the statement said.

With reporting by WBUR's Quincy Walters

Connecticut Public Radio asked the Madison Police Department to give a demonstration of its body camera system: