OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will be deploying body-worn cameras to all 152 commissioned law enforcement officers beginning in September. The program aims to boost accountability, transparency, and safety in natural resource law enforcement.
The body-worn camera program is being implemented next month, following a comprehensive review and trial period, during which feedback from officers and stakeholders was incorporated to ensure that 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 goals of the program are to:
- Enhance accountability: Provide a clear, impartial record of interactions and incidents.
- Increase transparency: Improve communication with the public and support open oversight.
- Improve safety: Act as a deterrent to misconduct and promote safer interactions.
- Support training: Offer valuable resources for refining techniques and practices.
The Washington State Legislature allocated funding for this program in the 2023-2025 supplemental operating budget, allocating $915,000 for WDFW to equip officers with body-worn cameras to advance public safety. This allocation was one of many identified to support local law enforcement agencies statewide.
WDFW Police works to protect the public’s safety and to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.