By Anita Weier
Northside News
The body-worn camera pilot program conducted on the Northside from April through July 2024 was a success, according to an analysis. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes plans to implement the cameras citywide, but that would not happen until 2026 because the 2025 budget has already been approved.
The Madison Common Council has yet to act on the pilot program report, but Barnes said it was highly successful. An outside expert. Dr. Broderick Turner of Virginia Tech, also reviewed the report.
“In my personal opinion, the body cameras will be helpful to officers,” North District Captain Jamar Gary said.
The pilot program involved having patrol officers and a neighborhood officer and sergeant wear the devices. “They were usually going to an incident that already happened”, Gary said. A total of 41 officers participated for 90 days.
SWAT officers and motorcycle personnel used the cameras for years prior to the study.
Lee Hunt, director for data, innovation and reform for the Madison Police Department, said the chief supports full deployment of the cameras. “We all [already] carry audio devices that cover interactions with the public,” Hunt added.
Chief Barnes said in a previous interview that officers gave positive feedback to the body cams. “The officers performed well, and the officers and public did not change behavior,” the chief added.
“People thought we might use the cameras to add charges, but we did not,” he said. “The findings are what you observe. I did not do the test to prove that we need or did not need them. The officers liked them and felt safer. You are less likely to have a bad outcome if you feel safe.”
He agreed with Gary that SWAT and motorcycle police found the devices useful. “They haven’t had a problem,” the chief said.
About 800 activations were shown in the body cam study, he said. “Only seven people requested they be turned off to tell information they did not want recorded,” the chief added. Eighty-six percent of people surveyed thought we already had the cameras, as most large police departments in Wisconsin already do, he said. “The patrol officers were very pleased. One officer said he didn’t want to go to work without a camera,” Chief Barnes added.
The report found that body-worn cameras likely help with trust building, legitimacy and transparency. Accountability was also improved. “The cameras are not a panacea, but they do protect everyone, “ Barnes said.
During a recent meeting of the Coffee With a Cop group on the Northside, the 20 attendees were asked how many present approved body cameras. Almost all raised their hands.
