STCC campus police adopt body-worn cameras

Members of the STCC Police Department are using body-worn cameras, which are attached to their uniforms over their chests. From left, Police Officer Crystal Rivera, Deputy Chief and Director of Public Safety Chester "Chet" Degray, Police Chief Jose "Joe" Rivera, Police Sgt. Jason Lariviere, and Campus Police Investigator Andrew Bechthold.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – In a move to improve public safety and enhance transparency, the Springfield Technical Community College Police Department is embracing a technological advancement and growing national law enforcement trend: body-worn cameras.

The department purchased 15 of the devices with the help of a federal Bureau of Justice Assistance grant, said Chester “Chet” Degray, deputy chief and Director of Public Safety at STCC. Officers will begin wearing them in March 2024.

STCC Police Chief Jose “Joe” Rivera said using body-worn cameras fosters transparency.

“A big driver was police reform in Massachusetts,” Rivera said. “As a trend nationally, police departments are moving toward body-cam systems. They’re finding that allegations of misconduct and complaints have a tendency to go down once a department implements a body-worn camera system.”

Officers will attach the body-worn cameras to their uniforms (usually on their chest). Officers interacting with someone will inform them they are being recorded. Once turned on, the devices will capture video and audio evidence which is stored in the camera. At the end of the shift, the officer will return the body camera to a docking station and the data files will be uploaded to a secure server.

Rivera said the STCC is one of only a few community colleges in Massachusetts to implement body-worn cameras. The devices used by STCC police are the same type as ones used by the Massachusetts State Police. The Springfield Police Department also uses body-worn cameras.

“It goes a long way toward transparency in a police department,” Rivera said. “I’m confident in the professionalism of the department. We don’t have misconduct in our department, but the community can be reassured that in the event we did have a complaint we can fully investigate it and have the capability of reviewing footage to see what happened.”

As a trend nationally, police departments are moving toward body-cam systems. Jose "Joe" Rivera STCC Police Chief

The STCC Police Department is a full-time law enforcement agency that provides a wide variety of public services, including emergency medical assistance, investigating suspicious circumstances and responding to and investigating criminal matters. Officers patrol the campus and any STCC-controlled exterior locations 24 hours a day.

STCC Vice President of Administration and Sustainability Andrea Nathanson said implementing body-worn cameras is part of the department’s mission to provide a safe and secure educational and working environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors.

“We believe the implementation of body cameras represents a significant step forward for the STCC Police Department,” Nathanson said. “They are tools that enhance transparency and build trust and accountability.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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