See if your town's cops will be getting body cameras.
Police departments in five Middlesex County towns, plus Rutgers University police, are getting body cameras that will record police officers' interactions with the public.
Edison, Carteret, South River, Highland Park and Plainsboro police officers are in the process of getting the devices, funded by a state grant announced
In Edison, six cops -- Sgt. Michael Cimmino and Officers David Stern, Greg Makras, Eric Van Schaack, Joseph Kenny Jr., and Joseph DePasquale -- have already begun training on the Taser brand devices. The department will eventually receive 125 cameras from the $62,500 grant.
The pilot program will help determine the right brand of camera and the best way to store the videos.
"My command staff and I firmly believe that body-camera technology will promote transparency and accountability in our department; ensure better evidence-gathering, and enhance public confidence in our many dedicated officers," Police Chief Thomas Bryan said in a news release.
Edison's grant was the third-largest in the state.
http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2015/12/carteret_police_outfitted_with_body_cams.html
Rutgers University police will also get 125 cameras for its 180 officers.
Carteret will receive 40 cameras; Highland Park will receive 15 cameras, Plainsboro will receive 36; and South River will receive 22.
Some civil liberties advocates worry that the cameras could be intrusive in sensitive situations, and open government groups worry that the videos won't be available to the public.
Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
