Cambridge Police > Cambridge Police Body-Worn Camera Program

Cambridge Police Body-Worn Camera Program

Officer-worn cameras, more commonly known as body cameras, assist officers in the performance of their duties. Not only do the cameras serve as useful tools for recording evidence, more importantly, they help to ensure that there is an additional layer of professionalism, transparency and accountability by documenting officer performance and interactions with the public. 

Body-worn cameras (BWC) are quickly becoming standard-issued equipment for police officers throughout the United States. In Cambridge, the program had been years in the making and the product of careful planning, community engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders. 

The implementation of the program has been a top priority for the Cambridge Police and the City Council, particularly following the tragic officer-involved fatal shooting in early 2023. That incident underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and public trust in policing—principles that remain at the heart of the department and this initiative. 

The Cambridge Police Department began the rollout of its BWC program in March 2025 following a thorough procurement, including testing of different BWC models, and policy development. The program includes equipment, storage, maintenance and fulfillment.  These small, wearable devices not only capture video footage but also audio recordings, offering a more complete picture of events during incidents.

By early April 2025, all sworn officers in the Department -- including Command Staff, Supervisors, Patrol Officers, and Detectives – are expected to be trained and equipped with body cameras as they perform their duties. The implementation of the technology follows a comprehensive training and policy review for officers to use the technology responsibly and effectively. 

As the Department encounters new information along the way with regards to body camera hardware, establishing best practices and policy, we will continue to evolve and bring the community the best Body-Worn Camera program possible. 

Activation & Recording
Body-Worn Cameras are intended to record police interactions with members of the public. These recordings serve many purposes including enhancing agency transparency, accountability, and public trust while documenting emergency responses and crime scenes as well as collecting evidence. 

According to the Cambridge Police Policy, “whenever possible, sworn members who activate a BWC should notify any person(s) that they are being recorded with video and audio by a BWC as close to the inception of the encounter as is reasonably possible. Sworn members should keep their BWCs activated until the event is completed to ensure the integrity of the recording.”  

The cameras are to be activated during all calls for service, including traffic stops, during the execution of a search or arrest warrant, and during any interaction where an officer reasonably believes should be records to enhance police transparency.  

Officer Accountability  
The Department recognizes public interest in access to body camera footage as a measure to police oversight and accountability, and the Department holds this video evidence and the privacy of the community in the highest regard. 

The Cambridge Police Body Worn Camera Unit – which consists of sworn officers and professional staff -- audits and documents BWC recordings on a quarterly basis for accountability of actions and accuracy of reporting.   

Sworn officers will be subject to progressive discipline, up to and including termination, for repeated or flagrant violations of the BWC policy on camera activation. 

Requesting Body-Worn Camera Footage
Under Massachusetts law, every person has a right to access public government records. To submit a Public Records request for body-worn camera footage once it is deployed in early April, please visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/iwantto/submitapublicrecordsrequest.

Learn More & FAQs

How does body camera technology balance transparency with privacy concerns, especially for victims and minors?

The department has carefully and thoughtfully worked hard to develop a program that meets the highest standards of accountability while protecting civil liberties.

Officers will notify people being recorded as soon as reasonably possible and are prohibited from using cameras in a way that attempts to avoid notice or attention, or secretively.

If victims or witnesses object to or are uncomfortable with being recorded, they can request for the camera to be shut off. Officers will be required to record the request on camera, notify dispatch of the deactivation, and document the request in their incident report.

The City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Police Department have explicitly banned the use of any facial recognition software across technologies used by the Department.

Upon entering a private residence without a warrant or in non-exigent circumstances, a sworn officer is to notify occupants that they are being both audio and video recorded but may deactivate the recording or place the camera into sleep mode upon the request of an occupant if there is no other reason pursuant to policy to record.

What policies govern when officers must activate their cameras, and how are violations addressed?

The CPD policy provides clear guidelines on the proper use of the cameras, while ensuring the public can have confidence that the footage will be handled with the utmost care and integrity. 

Officers will be required to activate (begin recording) their BWC during all dispatched calls for service involving non-law enforcement individuals (civilians) as well as self-initiated contacts of a law enforcement nature.

A designated member of the Cambridge Police Body Worn Camera Unit shall audit and document BWC recordings on a quarterly basis. Sworn members will be subject to progressive discipline, up to and including termination, for repeated or flagrant violations of the BWC policy on camera activation.

Guidelines that balance transparency with the protection of individual privacy, particularly in sensitive situations such as domestic violence calls are in place through Department policy. 

Are the cameras always recording?

Through the Axon Body Cameras, there is an ability for the software to capture video up to 30 seconds of a footage prior to the camera being powered on and activated by an officer.

How does the department track and report trends in body camera usage and policy violations?

Body-worn camera software allows the department to monitor when they are activated on calls. This allows the PD to audit the number of calls for service that do not have a body camera video.

Furthermore, the Body Worn Camera Unit will audit and document BWC recordings on a quarterly basis. The audits will be completed on the most recently available BWC footage and by selecting downloads at random.

Investigations regarding police misconduct are handled by the Professional Standards Unit and officers may be subject to discipline up to and including termination. Allegations of criminal conduct will be referred to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

Who reviews body camera footage in cases of officer-involved incidents, and how is accountability ensured?

Except in situations where deadly force is ever needed to be used, sworn officers may review only their own BWC recording in the following circumstances:

In advance of completing an investigation and preparing official reports.

- To help ensure accuracy and consistency, sworn members should review their BWC recording prior to preparing reports.

- If sworn officers review their BWC recordings prior to writing a report, the sworn member shall document that they reviewed their BWC recordings in the narrative portion of their incident report.

For the purposes of preparing for court or other forum in which their testimony is to be given.

- When they are preparing for court, sworn members should advise the prosecuting attorney that they have reviewed the BWC recording.

In advance of providing a statement pursuant to an internal investigation or other critical incidents, or when preparing for disciplinary hearings or appeals, officers shall be allowed to review their own recordings using department-issued equipment.

If deadly force were used by an officer, and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office is the lead investigative agency, the District Attorney or their designee will determine whether an officer is allowed to review their BWC footage before giving a statement.

Use of force incidents are currently reviewed for policy compliance at each level of supervision, with final approval coming from the Police Commissioner. Body-worn camera footage will now be included with these reviews, in addition to officer reports, witness statements, other video that may have been obtained, and any other pertinent information.

Under what circumstances can the public or media request access to body camera footage?

Under Massachusetts law, every person has a right to access public government records. To submit a Public Records request for body-worn camera footage once it is deployed in early April 2025, please visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/iwantto/submitapublicrecordsrequest.

Portions of footage may be redacted pursuant to MGL, typically to ensure the protection of victims and witnesses, as well as maintain the integrity of ongoing investigations.

Some recordings of a sensitive nature, like those that involve domestic violence, are exempt from public records requests.

How does the policy balance the public’s right to know with privacy protections for victims, witnesses, and minors?

If victims or witnesses are uncomfortable with being recorded, they can request for camera(s) to be temporarily shut off. Officers will be required to record the request on camera, notify dispatch, and document the request in their incident report. The camera will need to be turned back on as soon as practicable.

Upon entering a private residence without a warrant or in non-exigent circumstances, an officer is to notify occupants they are being both audio and video recorded but may deactivate the recording or place the camera into sleep mode upon the request of an occupant if there is no other reason pursuant to policy to record.

Are there clear redaction guidelines when releasing footage, and who is responsible for enforcing them?

Massachusetts General Law and Public Records Law determine what is and is not a public record. The City of Cambridge Law Department is responsible for determining what will and won't be released -- due to exemptions -- and for any redactions with footage from public records responses.

To submit a Public Records request for body-worn camera footage once it is deployed in early April 2025, please visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/iwantto/submitapublicrecordsrequest.

How can the community provide input on the body camera program? Are there advisory boards or oversight committees?

Feedback and comments can always be sent to the department via bodycameras@cambridgepolice.org.

Outside of the department, the Police Review & Advisory Board was established by City Ordinance in 1984 to provide for community participation in reviewing Police Department policies, practices, and procedures. They will continue to provide civilian oversight of the Police Department. Visit their website to learn more.

How does the department measure the effectiveness of body-worn cameras in improving officer behavior and community trust?

Measuring the effectiveness of body-worn cameras (BWCs) in improving officer behavior and community trust will involve a combination of quantitative data, qualitative assessments, and ongoing evaluation. The Department may coordinate academic partners or other stakeholders to engage in an analytical process to survey whether the community’s trust and perception of CPD has changed post-BWC implementation. Additionally, community engagement will be ongoing with public meetings for community members to voice their thoughts and concerns surrounding the BWCs.

How much will the body cameras cost?

The FY25 Capital Budget includes funding for the purchase of cameras and associated equipment and first year licensing and storage costs. That funding is approximately $1M.

The department anticipates that annual licensing data storage, and staff time costs thereafter will be included in the operating budget.