Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Application to BJA Body-Worn Cameras Policy and Implementation Program

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO) proposed an expansion of existing body-worn camera (BWC) efforts in Bergen County, New Jersey through establishment of a pilot program. The pilot program would be implemented with guidance from the New Jersey Innovation Institute at New Jersey Institute of Technology, who have seen results of this program in other jurisdictions. The developed software allows for artificial intelligence and machine learning to scan and detect high-risk behaviors captured on BWC recordings and tag these actions. The proposed technology currently has four detection models—running, firearms, yelling, and resisting arrest. These criteria were initially selected after being highlighted by the police as typical important events in BWC footage. This programming identifies and highlights the moments of interest that require further human oversight, while allowing supervisors to confidently skip over mundane footage. The artificial intelligence analytics play a role in allowing departments to maximize the utility of BWC footage without overloading their workforce. This allows early intervention for officers out of compliance with policy, demonstrates and defends the appropriate actions of the police, and improves the ability to identify and address bad actors within the police. Funding from the US DOJ BJA Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies grant program would enable the BCPO to provide critical support that is not currently available to law enforcement in Bergen County.