MTA Police (Source: MTA)
Oct. 24, 2019 By Allie Griffin
State Senator Jessica Ramos is calling for Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) police officers to wear body cameras and has introduced legislation today to make the requirement a law.
The legislation would mandate that MTA cops wear body cameras capable of both audio and video recording. The legislation follows the authority’s September decision to hire an additional 500 transit police officers to address homelessness, fare evasion and quality of life crimes in the city’s subways.
The MTA police force is separate from the NYPD and transit cops are currently not required to wear body cams. Ramos wants them to have body cams like the NYPD.
“It is imperative that all law enforcement officials abide by the same standards when actively patrolling members of our communities,” Ramos said. “Body cameras are an effective tool for ensuring transparency and guaranteeing interactions between police officers and every day New Yorkers are recorded.”
Ramos said that body cameras are critical for transparency and accountability and protect the public safety of both civilians and members of law enforcement.
