DPS Body Worn Camera Program
The Alaska Department of Public Safety is in the process of deploying body-worn cameras for all Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Deputy Fire Marshals, Court Services Officers, and Village Public Safety Officers. DPS received $3.58 million in state funding and $938,000 in federal funding in July 2022 to begin the program.
In February 2023, DPS solicitied public feedback on the draft policy that will govern the use and management of the DPS body-worn camera program.
On May 1, 2023, the Alaska Department of Public Safety announced a limited deployment of body-worn cameras across Alaska to lay the groundwork for a full deployment later this year. Thirty Alaska State Troopers, Wildlife Troopers, and Court Services Officers are now using the new technology as part of their normal duties to ensure that the department is ready for a broad roll out.
DPS has also finalized the policy that will govern the use of body-worn cameras, dash cameras, audio recorders, and other audio and video capturing devices after completing public feedback earlier this year. DPS conducted public comment on the policy in February 2023 and heard from DPS staff, the Public Safety Employees Association, and other stakeholders this Spring to bring the best suggestions and recommendations into the final version. The final version of the policy can be found here.
In Fall 2023, DPS will begin deploying body-worn cameras across the state to all commissioned or partially commissioned officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a body-worn camera?
It is a small camera that can be worn on an officer’s uniform and record both audio and video
What is the purpose of body-worn cameras?
Body-worn cameras serve numerous functions including:
- Enhancing officer safety.
- Preserving visual and audio information of scenes, events, and statements for use in current and future investigations.
- Enhancing the officer's ability to document police-citizen contacts, arrests, and critical incidents.
- Enhancing the accuracy of officer reports and testimony in court.
- Providing an impartial measurement for evaluation during officer training, self-critique, coaching, and mentoring.
- Enhancing the agency's ability to review probable cause for arrests.
- Enhancing the public's trust by accurate representations of officer-public interactions in the form of video and audio recordings.
When will officers record video?
Officers will record their interactions with the public during traffic enforcement, citizen complaints, arrests, situations that the officer believes would generate an incident report, or other situations where the officer believes it would be beneficial to have a digital recording.
Will officers tell people they are being recorded?
While it is generally implied that words and/or actions performed in the presence of a police officer have no expectation of privacy, if a person asks, the officer will inform the person they are being recorded. If the officer discloses that a recording is running, and a person requests deactivation, the officer will inform the person that DPS policy requires recording of contacts.
When can officers turn cameras off?
Officers shall begin recording as soon as practical during a given situation and continue to record until the completion of the event, to include the recording of statements.
How long will AST keep the recordings?
DPS will retain body-worn camera evidence that is captured for between 26 months and or 99 years depending on the nature of the interaction that is recorded.
When can officers review body-worn camera video?
Officers can review their footage as needed for completion of incident reports, investigations, evidentiary discovery, and to prepare for court testimony. An officer involved in a deadly force or other critical use-of -force incident whose actions were recorded will not be able to review the recordings until after their formal interview.
How can members of the public request body-worn camera video of an incident?
Members of the public will be able to request copies of MAVR recordings after an investigation is completed and any related court proceedings involving the state have been closed under the Alaska Public Records Act.
Will AST publish body-worn camera video of officer-involved-shootings?
DPS may proactively release body-worn camera recordings associated with officer involved shootings or other critical incidents before an investigation or criminal court proceedings is complete after the primary criminal interviews are completed with suspects, witnesses, and victims.
Why is AST getting body cameras now?
The Alaska Department of Public Safety has been working for years to bring body worn cameras to our department and the citizens that we protect. With funding from the Alaska Legislature and a federal grant, we were able to make that happen.
When did DPS purchase the body cameras and how much did they cost?
DPS placed the order in November 2022 and has encumbered $2,956,392 for the purchase of 600 body worn cameras with accessories and necessary software.
What is the timeline for bodycam rollout?
In the spring of 2023, DPS will start a limited body-worn camera pilot program to work out any logistical, technological, or policy issues. DPS plans to begin deploying body-worn cameras across the state later in 2023 after the pilot program concludes.
Has it been decided which divisions/communities specifically will pilot the program first?
DPS will begin a pilot program in Spring 2023 which will deploy approximately 30 cameras to Troopers that service urban and rural Alaska in the Kenai Peninsula, Mat-Su Valley, and Interior Alaska, and are currently equipped with a wireless dash camera in their patrol vehicle. DPS intends to begin issuing body cameras to all Troopers, CSOs, DFMs, and VPSOs later in 2023.
Will this policy apply to all videos/recordings/photos taken while on-duty?
The DPS draft policy will apply to all audio and video recordings captured as part DPS Trooper/officers official business.
What brand/model of body cams will be used? Why did AST choose those?
AST selected the Motorola V300 as our camera, which will be able to easily interface with the WatchGuard dash camera system that many of our patrol vehicles are equipped with.
How many cameras will DPS have?
DPS has purchased 600 Motorola V300 body cameras for the use of Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, commissioned officers in the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Court Services Officers, and Village Public Safety Officers
How is DPS paying for these cameras?
In 2022 the Alaska Legislature provided DPS with $3.58 million funding for a body-worn camera program. DPS also received $938,000 in federal funding for the project.
When will AST release body-worn video to other government entities?
Generally, body-worn camera video footage will not be shared with non-criminal justice government agencies until any criminal investigations are completed and court cases are closed and the recording would be accessible to the public via the Alaska Public Records Act. Criminal justice agencies that have a criminal justice need to view DPS body worn camera recordings related to a criminal investigation can make a written request to view recordings prior to an investigation being completed or a court case being closed with the approval of the detachment or bureau commander.
Will the cameras record audio as well as video?
The body-worn cameras record audio and video.
Could the video be tampered with or altered by a police officer or anyone else?
The cloud-based secure storage system for DPS’ body-worn camera and dash camera system would not allow anyone to tamper with or edit audio or video. The cloud-based secure storage system also logs all activity that occurs within the secure system.
How will I know if I’m being recorded by a body worn video camera?
While it is generally implied that words and/or actions performed in the presence of a police officer have no expectation of privacy, if a person asks, the officer will inform the person they are being recorded. If the officer discloses that a recording is running, and a person requests deactivation, the officer will inform the person that DPS policy requires recording of contacts.