Attorney General Aaron M. Frey and the Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine have released a report on the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by law enforcement in Maine.
The report stems from a study initiated by Attorney General Frey in late 2023. The Maine Statistical Analysis Center of the Catherine Cutler Institute explored best practices, current information on BWC use, policies, costs, and trends in Maine. It highlights national research on BWCs, their use in Maine, and an analysis of local policies guiding their use.
“Body-worn cameras are widely supported by the public and are being utilized at higher rates than ever by law enforcement agencies. They are a critical tool in assessing equitable policing and ensuring public confidence in law enforcement,” said Attorney General Frey. “This study gives us a Maine-specific baseline to continue important conversations with law enforcement agencies, policymakers and the public about improving our systems.”
Researchers surveyed all law enforcement departments statewide, achieving a 77% response rate. They also interviewed justice system stakeholders including law enforcement leaders from various jurisdictions, prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, a member of the press, and community members with expertise in advocacy related to mental health, substance use disorder, racial justice, and domestic and sexual violence.
Key findings included that as of January 2024,
“The fiscal burden on smaller departments and municipalities is considerable and estimating costs depends on variables such as the number of officers, cameras and docking systems, data storage, personnel to oversee, etc. However, the literature suggests that the benefits outweigh the cost in terms of greater public confidence/trust in law enforcement,” mentioned George Shaler, Senior Research Associate at USM’s Cutler Institute and one of the report’s co-authors.
Law enforcement leaders and key stakeholders cited perceived benefits of BWCs. The evidentiary benefits were noted by all stakeholders. The study highlighted funding challenges for BWC programs as well as gaps and inconsistencies regarding record retention length and cooperation with state public records laws.
The report concludes with recommendations to address legislative gaps, strengthen existing BWC policy, and pursue potential funding streams for BWCs. Detailed recommendations can be found within the report.
Link to report: https://mainesac.org/body-worn-cameras-and-law-enforcement-in-maine/