California Highway Patrol to equip all 7,600 officers with body cameras

California Highway Patrol (CHP) is set to equip all 7,600 officers with body cameras by March 2026, addressing previous shortcomings where only 3% of officers used this technology. This decision follows nearly $20 million in funding approved by state lawmakers, aiming to improve transparency during the approximately 2 million stops made by officers annually. The push for body cameras was initially proposed in 2015 by former Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, who highlighted the slow progress since then. Currently, about 2,400 cameras have been distributed in areas such as the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Jones-Sawyer criticized the delay, stating, "I was just 10 years ahead of my time.

" A 2022 study found evidence that agencies with body cameras experienced a decrease in police killings compared to those without. CHP had previously focused on upgrading its dash cam system before seeking funding for body cameras. The implementation of this technology reflects a growing emphasis on accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.