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: In wake of maxi strike, can we forget politics and talk rapid rail again?

Monday morning, 5:45am, Curepe junction. Three maxis pass me—full. Fourth stops. Driver leans out: “Only Sa Wa.” I begged to Read more

Warner: “Inequality in T&T is no longer subtle—we’re entering dangerous territory”

“[…] Trinidadians and Tobagonians are resilient people. But what citizens rarely tolerate for long is inconsistency. Once people begin believing Read more

Demming: SLAPP-ing away our rights; T&T must address lawsuits meant to silence citizens

Silence is not peace. It is the beginning of social decline. Too many of us are witnessing lawsuits used not Read more

Dear Editor: HDC contract scandal proves Gov’t must routinely release procurement data

“[…] As we navigate 2026, we find ourselves facing a rather curious paradox: the very mechanism designed to illuminate public Read more

Dear Editor: Some people won—a spoken word reflection from two public servants

“[…] My pay has not moved since 2014… While everything around me kept climbing. The bills. The groceries. The cost Read more

Dear Editor: T&T needs better than bacchanal and insults from politicians

“[…] This is not leadership; it is a distraction. “[…] Ordinary citizens risk lawsuits or police action for far less, 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.