Customs and Border Protection officials said Thursday they are working to implement body-worn cameras, but first need to study how to best use them.
The announcement was seemingly an about-face to a report last week that the nation’s largest law enforcement agency had decided against them.
The commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement that after a year of research and testing, the agency decided they were a benefit, but required more research into how they should be incorporated.
CBP will integrate testing of body cameras at checkpoints, aircraft certificate inspections, vessel boarding and interdictions and certain ports of entry, a news release said.
The commissioner said officials had to pass a few hurdles before implementing them. Namely, developing a plan for video data storage, training, questions on privacy and funding options.
Plus, CBP must first discuss the issue with labor unions. The agency also needs to also find body worn cameras that best suit their officers. The cameras tested in last year’s study weren’t durable enough and didn’t fit well with the officers’ uniforms, officials said.
The timeline of the next phase of research is expected to be concluded between January and March.
Local
No word yet on the cost, though officials are expecting it to be in the millions.
