Dear Editor: Gov’t must clamp down on police refusal to use bodycams, especially in current climate

“[…] When police officers disobey direct orders from superiors to wear body cameras, it is a serious breach of protocol and accountability.

“[…] Police hierarchy should disclose when and why officers fail to wear body cams, especially during use-of-force incidents…”

The following Letter to the Editor on the importance of body cameras by law enforcement officers, particularly in the ‘stand your ground’ era, was submitted to Wired868 by Orson Rogers of Belmont:

When police officers disobey direct orders from superiors to wear body cameras, it is a serious breach of protocol and accountability.

I believe that appropriate actions should be taken to address the misconduct.

This may include internal disciplinary measures such as a written warning or reprimand for first-time or minor offences, suspension or loss of pay for repeated or willful noncompliance, and termination for persistent refusal, especially if linked to incidents of misconduct or excessive force.

Now that we have a new “stand your ground” government in place and a new minister of security, is it too much to expect a clear enforcement policy where departments must have clearly written policies on body cam usage?

This would include outlined consequences for violations, and officers should sign acknowledgements of these policies during training and periodically thereafter.

The issue of public transparency is paramount, and police hierarchy should disclose when and why officers fail to wear body cams, especially during use-of-force incidents.

And civilian review boards or oversight commissions should be empowered to investigate noncompliance. Transparency in the process boosts public trust.

Ultimately, noncompliance should never be tolerated, as it undermines transparency, accountability, and public trust—three pillars of ethical policing.

More from Wired868

Dear Editor: Public figures must stop reckless habit of filming while driving

“[…] Public figures—especially elected officials—have enormous influence. Their actions speak louder than their speeches. “When they film themselves while driving, Read more

St Louis: UNC guilty of mass retrenchments; but PNM left workers vulnerable

The recent article by Ashton Ford, former general secretary of the People’s National Movement (PNM), attempts to paint the PNM Read more

Dear Editor: Club Eting’s shooting highlights dangers of TTPS officers taking guns home

“[…] In other countries where off-duty firearm carry is allowed, it is done with strict safeguards: ongoing psychological assessments, secure Read more

Dear Editor: Is Cepep programme in crisis? Or is this an opportunity for reform?

“[…] Cepep was designed as a springboard—a transitional system for those facing barriers to employment, a way to build dignity Read more

Dear Editor: Why is accountability only demanded of ‘the other side’?

“[…] What kind of society are we building when the working class is always the first to feel the axe? Read more

MSJ: T&T Labour movement can breathe after Rowley’s relentless attacks

“[…] The 10 years under the Dr Keith Rowley-led PNM saw a vicious attack on the trade union movement and Read more

Letters to the Editor

Want to share your thoughts with Wired868? Email us at editor@wired868.com.
Please keep your letter between 300 to 600 words and be sure to read it over first for typos and punctuation.
We don’t publish anonymously unless there is a good reason, such as an obvious threat of harassment or job loss.