The Department of Correction in New York City recently removed all 3,000 body-worn cameras from their staff after an incident where an officer at Rikers Island was injured when her camera ignited. The captain’s body camera caught on fire, leading to concerns about the safety of the devices. Initially, reports suggested that the officer had been burned by the camera fire, but it was later clarified that she experienced smoke inhalation and was not admitted to the hospital. The Correction Captains’ Association president confirmed that the cameras will not be returned to staff until their safety is assured.
The cause of the camera’s ignition is not clear, but the presence of lithium batteries in some of the devices raised concerns. While the body-worn cameras used by the Department of Correction are similar to those used by the NYPD, they are not the same make. Following a request from the Corrections Officers’ Benevolent Association president, the city and DOC commissioner agreed to conduct a safety review of the devices, leading to the temporary removal of all body-worn cameras until further notice. The investigation is expected to take one to two weeks to complete.
In a similar incident in 2018, the New York Police Department removed around 3,000 body cameras from its officers after a Staten Island cop’s device exploded into flames. This incident occurred as the department was in the process of equipping all 23,000 officers with body cameras, which they all now have. Additionally, the NYPD removed another 2,000 police body cameras in 2021 after one of the devices caught fire and exploded in Manhattan. In both cases, the officers involved suffered minor injuries as a result of the incidents.
Overall, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of body-worn cameras used by law enforcement agencies in New York City, particularly after incidents where the devices have ignited or caught fire. The removal of the cameras from DOC staff and NYPD officers following such incidents reflects the importance of ensuring the safety and reliability of these devices. The investigations into the causes of these incidents are crucial for identifying any potential risks associated with the use of body-worn cameras and implementing necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
