PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Starting Feb. 13, all Salem police patrols and detectives working in the field will be equipped with body cameras, something which was supposed to happen in Portland two years ago.
According to Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack, the body-worn camera program is a milestone in the department’s goal of improving safety, legitimacy and excellence.
“From enhancing criminal investigations to building and maintaining trusting relationships with our community through increased transparency and mutual accountability — cameras are an invaluable tool for law enforcement today,” Womack said.
Beginning in June 2021, Salem officers have been wearing recording devices. Since then, officials said they have been working to establish a more comprehensive program.
“We are a learning organization,” said Womack. “Body-worn cameras will provide yet another way to critique and learn, to inform our training and professional development efforts.”
A frequently asked questions page is available on the Salem city website with more information about the program.
In Portland though, it’s a different story. Two years ago, the Department of Justice directed Portland Police Bureau to require officers to wear body cameras, but that still hasn’t happened.
The police union and the city are still negotiating over body-worn cameras.
Portland is the only city of its size with a police force that doesn’t wear cameras. The police union president told KOIN 6 that they’ve been asking the city for body cameras since 2012.
A lot of it comes down to negotiating rules surrounding when officers are allowed to review footage.
Oregon State Police allow officers to look at footage when writing a report and they’re also allowed to review it before being questioned in an officer-involved shooting or use of force incident.
Several law enforcement agencies in the area have similar policies.
If you look at the official “body-worn camera timeline” city officials laid out in 2021, Portland officers should be wearing cameras by April. Police Association president Aaron Schmautz told KOIN 6 he doesn’t know if the city and union will reach an agreement by then.