During the last legislative session, the Washington State Legislature enacted the Uniform Electronic Recordation of Custodial Interrogations Act (RCW 10.122.030(1). The act requires Law Enforcement officers to record custodial interrogations of juveniles and custodial interrogations related to a felony. This law went into effect on January 1, 2022.  It is important to note that while Body Worn Cameras (BWC) are the easiest way to comply with the new law, the law does not mandate Law Enforcement agencies to operate using Body Worn Cameras. 

Prior to the implementation of this law, the Richland Police Department (RPD) was in the process of obtaining funding for a complete video recording system consisting of Body Worn Cameras, and In Car Video (ICV), both of which are paired to our Taser and pistol holsters.  We were fortunate to receive the funding with the support of the City of Richland and the City Council late last year. 

In late 2021, we received our Body Worn Cameras and began training our officers regarding their use.  By the end of next week, our program will be up and running with each officer using a Body Worn Camera. 

In the coming weeks, we will be implementing the In Car Video system to complete the package. There are many moving parts to this project and it truly is a team effort. RPD department trainers and professional staff have been working tirelessly, as have our partners at the City of Richland. 

The video linked below, created by Axon, demonstrates the camera system that we have adopted and will be in place after the implementation of ICV. The video was filmed by Axon using actors and is meant to demonstrate the capabilities of the entire Axon BWC and Fleet camera system. It is not meant to demonstrate patrol or tactical techniques.

The Richland Police Department is committed to earning the public’s trust every day, with every interaction, and at every call for service. We are humbled by and appreciative of the relationship we enjoy with our community. The implementation of our BWC/ICV program is yet another piece to add to that trust and will assist us in our goal of making our community safer.

https://vimeo.com/180906946?fbclid=IwAR3PGyXzi491Dc8rPaW67797_GEDkm4vx-QHmvTRfFoG0WzUWv_eIdb9ShQ