TUCSON, Ariz. — A plan for all Arizona State Troopers to receive body-worn cameras is getting back on track.
Gov. Doug Ducey announced a plan Wednesday to equip DPS troopers with the cameras via a private-sector supplier. The governor's office says the plan was originally set to be taken up by the legislature earlier this year, but was scuttled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ducey says the DPS will initially provide 150 cameras to troopers throughout the state, and will be phased-in over the coming months.
In a press release, the governor's office says he still hopes to continue the plan with Arizona lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session.
An Arizona DPS spokesman declined KGUN9 interview's request and released this statement:
The Department has fully supported Governor Ducey’s advocacy for body-worn cameras for every trooper since his announcement in January 2020. Body-worn cameras are important for the protection of our troopers and to increase public transparency.
This initial phase is for 150 body-worn cameras to be deployed to troopers throughout the state in both rural and metro areas. Appropriations from the Legislature will be needed to expand this effort agency-wide.
More information regarding the vendors and conditions and timeline will be made available as contracts are finalized.
As referenced in the Governor’s FY21 budget proposal, we support his goal to equip every state trooper with a body-worn camera and share his urgency to begin rolling out this technology as soon as possible.
A phased-in approach will allow us to better understand the costs and resources needed for a successful state-wide deployment.
We are excited to begin implementing this technology and will provide more details as they become available.
