BALTIMORE, MD—Following a 12-month pilot program, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has taken delivery of 275 Axon body-worn cameras, and has officially implemented an agency-wide program in which every sworn officer will wear cameras while on-duty.

The cameras will now be worn by every officer while on duty. The cameras, which are equipped with high-definition recording capabilities, improved low-light performance, and an expanded field of view, are part of a five-year agreement with the manufacturer.

“The Maryland Natural Resources Police remains committed to maintaining the highest level of professional standards, integrity and conduct,” NRP Superintendent Orlando D. Lilly said in a press release. “Body-worn cameras improve the safety of not only the officer, but also the public. These cameras are an important tool to promote transparency and trust, and have the added benefit of increasing officer professionalism and training.”

According to the NRP, the Axon cameras will also improve community-police relations by enhancing the accuracy of incident reports and court testimony. Studies have shown that the use of body-worn cameras can reduce the number of use-of-force reports and complaints from citizens against officers.

The Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission has created guidelines for the development of body-worn camera programs in an effort to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of this technology. The NRP’s policy requires officers to upload footage from their cameras by the end of their shifts and can be reviewed by supervisors to ensure compliance with department policy.

The NRP’s investment in body-worn cameras was made possible through a grant provided by the Governor’s Office Of Crime Prevention, Youth, And Victim Services. The funding will support the purchase of 275 cameras and docking hardware, as well as provide training opportunities for officers.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo: A Maryland Natural Resources Police officer wears an Axon body-worn camera, which have been distributed to all officers on the force – via Hunter Dortenzo, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.