For the first time in the commonwealth’s history, the Kentucky State Police will be equipped with body-worn cameras to increase officer safety and public trust.
On Friday, at the training academy, Kentucky State Police demonstrated the new integrated video recording system, which will be distributed to approximately 780 sworn personnel.
In November 2021, Beshear first announced his plans for a historic investment to improve public safety, which included $12.2 million for Kentucky State Police to purchase an integrated video recording system.
In April 2022, the Governor signed legislation that funded the recording system.
Immediately following the enactment of the new state budget, Kentucky State Police evaluated available systems and conducted extensive testing, which included defensive tactics drills, firearms simulations, live fire trainings and typical day-to-day trooper duties.
Kentucky State Police selected the Motorola M500 Integrated System, which includes a V300 body-worn camera, audio recording device and in-car video with high-definition cameras, which will record a forward dash view and the rear passenger compartment of the patrol vehicle.
The recorded video and audio are automatically uploaded to a virtual storage location, decreasing troopers’ time on administrative functions.
Documenting trooper interactions in the field allows Kentucky State Police leadership to investigate grievances against officers and can be used in refining techniques taught to cadets at the Kentucky State Police academy.
Kentucky State Police plans to deploy the Motorola system in all cruisers by the end of 2023, beginning with newly issued cruisers first. Troopers assigned to those cruisers will receive the corresponding body worn cameras at that time.
Kentucky State Police will hire 28 civilian employees to assist in documentation, system maintenance and archival of video footage captured through the integrated video recording system.
Source: WBKO
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