Ocean Pines Police Department receives new body cameras

OCEAN PINES, MD.- Ocean Pines Police Department received new body cameras that will help keep officers and the community safer.

Officers started wearing the body cams on Wednesday and John Pianka, a Patrolman First Class at Ocean Pines PD, said they’ll now be able to record everything that happens while they’re in the field.

“I think it’s going to be a great thing for the Ocean Pines Police Department and the community as a whole,” PFC Pianka said. “It helps keep us safe; it helps keep the community safe and I think it helps keep all the stories straight– so I think overall, it’s a great addition to the police department.”

Ocean Pines Police Chief Tim Robinson said the body cams are an asset to the department.

“From a law enforcement officers point of view, in this day in age in 2023, I think an officer is crazy not to go out with a body camera, because it’s an impartial witness to what happened,” Chief Robinson said.

To ensure officers are following protocol, the cameras will be rolling at all times while on duty, and the footage will undergo regular checks.

“We will be doing periodic reviews on the footage to do quality control,” Chief Robinson said. “I don’t believe there’s going to be an issue, but if there is, just like any other police department, it’ll be addressed.”

While the body cams are being worn by the police officers, PFC Pianka said they’re not the only ones who will be more safe because of them.

“I think it’ll help the public feel they’re a little safer, being recorded,” PFC Pianka said. “It gives them a little more sense of security, as well as us.”