Following controversies regarding policing after the murder of George Floyd, Suffolk County began to move in the direction of body cameras for its patrol officers. Just recently, on June 2, at a press conference, public servants and a bipartisan delegation of officials gathered to discuss the very near rollout of body cameras for 1,600 patrol officers. Just shortly after on June 7, the Suffolk County Legislature approved the resolution to purchase and implement the cameras.
“The Suffolk PBA welcomes the implementation of body-worn cameras, as they will illustrate the outstanding professionalism and police work displayed by PBA Members on the thousands of public interactions they have every day,” said Lou Civello, Second Vice President, Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association.
As reported elsewhere, the Suffolk County Police Benevolence Association joined the chorus of community stakeholders asking for body cameras. This chorus includes civic groups and civil rights groups that want increased accountability for Suffolk’s largest law enforcement agency.
Politicians from across the political spectrum have publicly pledged their support for body cameras, with spokespeople from Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffery’s Office (R-Babylon) and Minority Leader Jason Richberg’s (D-Babylon) Office affirming their support immediately prior to the June 7 vote.
With the passage of IR-1429 (which authorizes the purchase of the cameras), it is now only a matter of time until the purchase of the cameras is complete, and the rollout begins. Suffolk County Police Officers will be paid extra for wearing the cameras and penalized for not utilizing them correctly.
