Arlington Funds Police Body Cameras, But Policy Still Nebulous

ARLINGTON, MA — Town Meeting approved $43,000 for body cameras for Arlington police officers Monday, after some debate over whether the police department should first clarify a policy for their implementation.

An amendment to remove the item from the police budget was proposed by Precinct 3 member John Ellis. Ellis, who also serves on the Finance Committee, wanted Town Meeting to review a policy for body cameras before allotting funding toward the program.

Police Chief Juliann Flaherty said the department was asked to get body cameras after the murder of George Floyd last year. Using state and federal resources, she is creating a draft policy to be presented to the Select Board.

The proposed policy will likely be reviewed in August or September, with the cameras deployed by the end of the year, Flaherty said.

The amendment ultimately failed 45-171, and the town budget was approved 213-10.