Maynard Police Launch Body-Worn Camera Program for All Officers

MAYNARD — All sworn officers with the Maynard Police Department will wear a body-worn camera at all times on duty starting this morning, bringing to fruition a major initiative to increase transparency and community trust.

The body-worn camera program was launched thanks to a more than $70,000 state grant and the hard work of numerous Maynard Police Department employees.

“This has been a significant undertaking for our department, and we are excited to finally have the program up and running,” said Chief Christopher Troiano.

The program will add to the tools deployed by Maynard Police and the cameras will support the professional services that officers provide while also increasing transparency and accountability.

Officers’ cameras will not record at all times, and will be manually activated by officers when appropriate during police-related activities and interactions, in accordance with the department’s Body-Worn Camera Policy and Procedures. The policy establishes guidelines regarding when cameras are required to be activated, when recording may be restricted, and when recording should be discontinued.

Officers have received training on when to activate their cameras, and on how to use them properly during investigations, enforcement actions, and other police-related encounters. Not all interactions with the public will be recorded, and the policy contains specific instructions on privacy considerations involving sensitive circumstances.

Body-worn camera recordings are securely stored, and access to the recordings is limited to authorized personnel who have a legitimate law enforcement or administrative purpose for viewing the footage.

Members of the public can request to see body-worn camera footage in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law and its relevant exemptions.

“This program represents another important step toward enhancing transparency, accountability, and public trust,” said Chief Troiano. “Body-worn cameras also provide a valuable tool for documenting police interactions, preserving evidence, and protecting both members of the public and our officers.”