Steven Stafstrom

The Bridgeport Police Department is beginning a pilot program for the use of body and dash cameras thanks to a bill I and my fellow Bridgeport lawmakers spearheaded and oversaw passage of during the 2017 legislative session. Under this legislation, the city’s police department is able to tap into a $9 million reserve of state funding to purchase body and dashboard cameras.

Through House Bill 7308, the Office of Policy and Management is able to administer a grant program to provide grants-in-aid to reimburse municipalities for costs associated with purchasing body cameras or recording equipment.

Our men and women in uniform are on the front lines each day, and need the trust of the people they are sworn to protect and serve.

The pilot program the city is undertaking is a good first step toward ensuring our officers have the necessary safeguards in place to perform their duties safely and effectively. Moving forward, however, I hope the city will move expeditiously to ensure that it takes full advantage of the available funding to ensure that all of our officers and cruisers, not just a pilot group, are equipped with body-worn and dashboard cameras to increase transparency and public trust.