BOSTON (AP) – Civil rights groups are concerned about transparency as the Boston Police Department’s test of body-worn cameras reaches its halfway mark this week.
A study intended to assess the six-month pilot, launched Sept. 12, is not yet underway, researchers told The Associated Press. And law enforcement officials haven’t provided updates three months in, activists say.
Segun Idowu, co-founder of a local group that had pushed for the cameras, said his organization’s request for more detailed information about the pilot has gone unanswered.
So, too, has a request by the AP, which sought copies of complaints, investigations, audits, budgets and other documents – as well as any relevant body camera video – starting over a month ago.
“If this is how they are running the pilot, then God help us when this moves to a full program,” Idowu said. “It lacks both accountability and transparency.”