ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is introducing body-worn cameras across the state.
Trooper William Smith, president of the Florida Police Benevolent Association’s FHP chapter, just reviewed the policy, and says the union has until Oct. 8 to suggest changes.
“I think it’s important for people to understand these were not mandated right now, they were done through a bid process,” he said.
Motorcycle units have had body-worn cameras for years instead of the dash cameras and microphones used in patrol cars. Smith says the agency was due to upgrade its equipment, and wanted microphones with a bigger range. He says Motorola told them body cameras were the best solution.
Smith says FHP is currently working off the body camera policies in-place for motorcycle units. Right now, the policy manual says the equipment must be activated for all law enforcement encounters.
Orlando-area troopers are already wearing the cameras, according to Smith, and personel in the Tampa region just received theirs.
State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith filed a bill in 2025 to require body cams for FHP that died in committee. He believes the cameras are especially important as FHP assists ICE in immigration enforcement, but he wants the policy to be stringent.
“At minimum, the body cameras must be turned on during all community interactions but especially during immigration enforcement,” he said. “We can have more insight into how immigration enforcement is happening in our state.”
Jeff Lotter is a criminal defense and DUI attorney. He also served as a trooper. He says body cams provide insight for both sides of the courtroom.
“Not only will it allow the troopers to better convey their evidence to the judges, what does exist,” he said. “It will also allow the defense attorney community the ability to attack individual portions if officers are doing it wrong.”