DPS to Implement Body-Worn Camera Program
Saint Louis University’s Department of Public Safety will begin equipping its armed officers with body-worn cameras this fall as part of its ongoing efforts to support professionalism, transparency and accountability in serving the SLU community.
Body-worn cameras have become increasingly common on college campuses across the country. The small recording devices are worn on officers’ uniforms and capture audio and video, and DPS officers at SLU will activate their cameras during calls for service, emergencies and other duty-related encounters.
“Serving our community well requires professionalism, accountability and trust,” said DeSheila Hatcher, director of field operations in DPS. “Body-worn cameras give our officers another tool to accurately document interactions, strengthen training and support the trust we work every day to build with our students, faculty, staff and campus visitors.”
The University has established policies governing when cameras are activated, how recordings are stored and retained, and how privacy is protected. Recordings will be securely stored with access limited to authorized personnel and may be used to document interactions and review significant incidents in accordance with University policy.
Officers have completed training on both the technology and the department’s body-worn camera policy in advance of implementation, including when cameras should be activated, privacy considerations, documentation requirements, and the secure handling of recordings.
Visit the DPS website to learn more about the department’s new body-worn camera program.