At the January 9, 2025 meeting the Ridgefield City Council approved the Ridgefield Police Department's (RPD) policies for body-worn cameras (Policy 06.07) and vehicle-mounted cameras (Policy 06.08). This decision marks a significant step toward equipping all RPD officers and vehicles with these devices, enhancing public safety and transparency.
Body-worn cameras (BWC) and vehicle-mounted cameras (VMC) are now considered best practices among law enforcement agencies in the region. These technologies strengthen trust between police and the public by documenting officer interactions. The recorded video and audio footage serve multiple purposes, including evidence collection, incident documentation, employee compliance reviews, and officer training.
“Implementing body-worn and vehicle-mounted cameras is a vital step in strengthening the trust between our officers and the Ridgefield community,” said Chief Cathy Doriot. “These tools will support our goal of transparency, accountability, and effective policing. This program is a win for both the community and the department.”
RPD’s deliberate timing in adopting this technology has allowed the department to benefit from the experiences of neighboring law enforcement agencies, such as the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. By learning from their implementations, RPD has minimized challenges related to testing out vendors, technical integration, and data storage, ensuring a cost-effective and efficient approach that benefits Ridgefield residents.
RPD Policies 06.07 and 06.08 address critical areas, including camera activation and deactivation protocols, privacy considerations, notification requirements, officer training, footage review procedures, and public disclosure requests. These policies are available for review in the City Council Agenda packet.
Implementation of this program is partially funded by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The City of Ridgefield has entered a 10-year contract with Axon, a leader in public safety technology. Axon will provide body-worn cameras, vehicle-mounted cameras, digital evidence storage software, tasers, and a virtual reality training program.
The adoption of these policies is just the beginning. During the first half of 2025, RPD will focus on staff training, policy development, and equipment installation. Full implementation is planned for the second half of the year. The City of Ridgefield will keep the community updated throughout this process.