The U.S. Capitol Police on Monday started wearing body-worn cameras as part of its pilot program to protect its officers and members of Congress as well as enhance public trust, its chief said.
Seventy Capitol Police officers will wear the body cameras during the 180-day program. Eleven Capitol Police cruisers will be outfitted with dashboard cameras that will automatically record if a cruiser’s emergency lights are triggered.
“I was confident that the cameras would do two things. First, they would remind the public just how challenging the law enforcement profession can be,” Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said in a news release.
“Second, the cameras would also showcase the great work our cops do day in and day out. This is a great accountability tool for everyone.”
Body cameras will not be used inside buildings on the Capitol or during interactions with members of Congress, Capitol Police said, as a measure to “protect the constitutional duties of members of Congress.”
“The cameras will record public interactions requiring a police response,” Capitol Police said in the release.
