Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams signed an executive order Friday that brings Wilmington Police a step closer to donning wearable cameras or “body-cams” in an effort curtail racial bias and excessive force complaints.
The order commissions a study to ascertain the most effective strategy of implementation. That study will be overseen by police chief Bobby Cummings.
Williams says recent events inspired the decision.
“I’ve been monitoring things since Ferguson and Baltimore and we had a slight incident in Dover, and we want to be open we don’t want the community to distrust the police. We have to be part of the community and not part of the problem, and to be part of the success of the community, as well with the police department."
Although many champion the use of the cameras, critics say more data is needed on their actual effectiveness.
An extensive 2012 Police Foundation report found troopers wearing cameras resulted in a dramatic reduction in excessive use-of-force accusations against officers.
Williams would like to see similar results in Delaware’s largest city.
“Anytime you can negotiate without using force that’s the best way to be anyway," Williams insisted. "We’re here to protect and serve. Sometimes whether you have body cameras or not, force will probably be needed, people won’t abide by the law, but I think overall you’re going to find a better reception between the police and the community, 150 percent.”
The mayor’s order comes after the announcement from President Obama that the federal government will make $75 million of funds available over the next three years ($20 million for the first year) to support police departments in carrying out the acquisition of cameras.
