Body worn cameras, or BWCs, will be required for all Colorado law enforcement agencies in 2023

Keenesburg is getting ahead of that mandate by equipping all its police officers with the technology immediately. The Police Department is implementing body cameras as a tool to gather evidence, provide information about police interactions, increase accountability and strengthen our relationship with the community. The footage documents the behavior of officers and citizens during an encounter. It can be used as evidence in court as well as internal investigations. Research on the use of body-worn cameras has shown a reduction in citizen complaints against the police and similar reductions in use of force and assaults on officers. 

• Lochbuie Police Department has already been wearing and using the technology, so in that sense it's nothing new for Keenesburg.
• The BWC will record video and audio of all official contacts between citizens and police.
• All citizens should assume that their conversations with police are being recorded. Citizens may ask an officer whether they are being recorded.
• Police officers are not able to edit or erase the captured video/audio. They can label or "tag" video after they are recorded for tracking and administrative purposes.
• Officers will not record in places where an expectation of privacy exists, such as restrooms, jails, courtrooms, or hospitals, unless the officer is conducting official business and believes the recording will be material to a criminal or administrative investigation.