U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced plans to increase the use of body-worn cameras as well as mobile, maritime and fixed cameras in its operations.
“While CBP already makes extensive use of cameras in the border environment, technology is constantly evolving and we are committed to testing durable new cameras that may work with CBP’s operational requirements,” Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske said in an announcement released Nov. 12.
Kerlikowske said he plans to incorporate body-worn camera testing into outbound ports-of-entry operations, vessel interdiction and boarding, aircraft certificate inspections, checkpoints and other law enforcement operations.
The commissioner also announced the release of a feasibility study on body-worn cameras, which suggested an assessment of a risk-based approach to deployment of such cameras.
CBP will work to address funding, training, privacy concerns with regard to camera deployment, video data storage and collective bargaining concerns prior to the implementation of a program on wearable camera devices.
