All Secaucus Police Now Wearing Body Cameras

SECAUCUS, NJ — All Secaucus Police officers have now been equipped with body cameras, the department announced Tuesday.

"All officers, regardless of rank or assignment, from the chief of police to the lowest patrol officer, have been assigned a body worn camera," said Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller.

All the officers received training in how to use the camera and its functionality , under the tutelage of SPD Lieutenant Scott Coar.

By June 1, every police officer in the state of New Jersey must wear a body camera. This is a directive by Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and Gov. Phil Murphy.

In March of this year, the Secaucus Police Department purchased the body cameras from Axon Enterprise, Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona. Specifically, the model purchased by the SPD were the “Axon Body 3."

The Secaucus Police Department made its initial purchase using a grant from the state of New Jersey, but the recurring cost for storing the data will be borne by Secaucus taxpayers, said the police chief.

Prior to making the purchase, a working group, which consisted of patrol officers, supervisors and union representatives, was assembled under the leadership of the Secaucus Police Administration Section Commander, Captain Joseph Baccola.

The working group visited several police departments within and outside of Hudson County, both large and small, and solicited feedback and ideas regarding the implementation of body cameras.

A pilot program was then established, whereby several police officers and a supervisor from the Secaucus Police Department wore a body camera for several weeks, while performing field duties. Based on the pilot program, further adjustments were made to the departmental policy.

After the working group provided their insight, and feedback from the pilot officers was elicited, the Secaucus Police Department Body Worn Camera policy was drafted to meet the existing New Jersey Attorney General directive and the enacted law, which becomes effective June 1.

“Body worn cameras will promote accountability of both my officers and the public at large,” Chief Miller said. “Additionally, I believe that a majority of these recordings will highlight the professionalism and the courageousness exhibited by my officers while responding to police, fire and medical emergencies."

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