Agenda Summary
title
Conveying information regarding items pending before this Council related to body-worn cameras.
body
Official Text
To the Honorable City Council:
As you know, there are several items before your honorable Council related to body-worn cameras.
Item 26-0378, submitted March 26, 2026, is a request for acceptance of grant funds from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. These funds are critical to procurement of the hardware required to launch a body-worn camera initiative in the City. Additional information regarding the timing of expending these funds, as well as additional costs that the City will incur, was also submitted to this Council on June 11, 2026, as item 26-1034.
The City has successfully negotiated a collective bargaining agreement with the Somerville Police Superior Officer Association (SPSOA). This agreement includes an updated body-worn camera policy that allows for immediate implementation of body-worn cameras. We will continue to negotiate in good faith with the Somerville Police Employees Association (SPEA) for a collective bargaining agreement containing the same policy. As such, it is this administration’s intent to expend the full amount of the grant ($231,635.00) awarded to the City to procure the necessary equipment in anticipation of future phased implementation.
The deadlines associated with the acceptance of this grant item are of paramount concern, particularly given the constrained fiscal environment facing the City. The terms of the grant agreement specify it is valid through August 31, 2026.
My administration also respects the provisions of the Code of Ordinances requiring the approval of a Surveillance Technology Impact Report (STIR) and Technology Specific Use Policy before implementing these technologies.
Item 26-0999, submitted June 11, 2026, (replacing item 26-0484, submitted March 26, 2026 to allow for as much review as possible prior to a specific product selection) and item 26-1000, also...
Click here for full text