LIBERTY, NY —The Village of Liberty Police Department announced that it has launched a new body-worn camera program for all patrol officers. The program, which began in March, is designed to enhance transparency and accountability in policing and strengthen community trust.

The department applied for and received a grant from the state of New York to purchase the cameras and for their continued use, maintenance, and digital storage of videos. The entire program is funded through the grant with no additional cost to Village of Liberty taxpayers. 

The entire department has recently undergone training on the use of the cameras and on the department’s policy governing their use, which is consistent with the state's model policy on body-worn cameras. The cameras will record interactions between officers and members of the public during routine patrols and responses to calls for service.

According to Chief Steven D'Agata, the body-worn camera program is an important step forward for the department and the community it serves. "We are committed to providing the highest quality of service to our community and building trust with the people we serve," said D'Agata. "The body-worn camera program will help us do that by promoting transparency, accountability, and professionalism in our interactions with the public."

The chief also noted that the cameras would help protect officers from false accusations and provide valuable evidence in investigations. "Our officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our community, and we want to make sure they have the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively," he said.