Washington Fish and Wildlife Police Launch Body Camera Program

Photo byAlexander AndrewsonUnsplash

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Monday all 152 of of its commissioned law enforcement officers in September. It'll set the state back $915,000 in total.

This development, according to the department, will include a review and trial period complete with feedback from officers and stakeholders to ensure the technology meets the needs of the agency and the community.

“This program advances our commitment to our core values and our mission to protect our natural resources and the public we serve,” said WDFW Police Chief Steve Bear. “Deploying body-worn cameras to our officers will help us build trust and relationships with all communities in Washington.”

The program is intended to provide a clear, impartial record of incidents, improve communication with the public, and deter officer misconduct.

Washington state legislators green lit state funding for the program in the 2023-2025 supplemental operating budget this spring.