Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police launch body camera program

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 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.

The program aims to boost accountability, transparency and safety in natural resource law enforcement.

“This program advances our commitment to our core values and our mission to protect our natural resources and the public we serve,” WDFW Police Chief Steve Bear stated in a news release. “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 by providing clear, impartial records of interactions and incidents.

• Increase transparency by improving communication with the public and supporting open oversight.

• Improving safety: Cameras may act as a deterrent to misconduct and promote safer interactions.

• Support training: Cameras may offer valuable resources for refining techniques and practices.

The Washington state Legislature allocated funding for the program in the 2023-2025 supplemental operating budget, providing $915,000 for WDFW to equip officers with body-worn cameras to advance public safety. The allocation was one of many identified to support local law enforcement agencies statewide.

For more information, visit wdfw.wa.gov .