The New York City Department of Corrections announced Sunday that it is temporarily suspending the use of body-worn cameras by its staff after one of them caught fire while in use last week.
The department said Friday that an officer required treatment for burns and smoke inhalation after his body camera ignited without warning while strapped to his chest.
“Our thoughts are with the captain who was injured in this incident,” Corrections Commissioner Lynelle McGinley Liddy said in a statement to The Hill. “The safety of our staff is our top priority, which is why we have taken the utmost care to disable all body-worn cameras while we investigate how and why this incident occurred.”
The police officer was taken to the hospital but was not admitted. The New York Post reportedsaid a person affiliated with the prison officers’ union.
Since 2015, the department has used just under 3,500 body cameras, and this case was completely unique, Corrections said.
According to the ministry, the investigation into the cause of the camera fire is expected to take one to two weeks, including contacting the manufacturer.
The New York City Police Department has suspended the use of body cameras twice in the past six years due to similar safety concerns. once in 2018 After catching fire during use, 2nd time in 2021 After the camera exploded.
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