Amesbury Police Department

Accredited by the state since 2001, the Amesbury Police Department in Massachusetts describes its work as guarding life and property, keeping the peace and safeguarding individual rights and liberties. Emergency calls for the city are answered through the North Shore Regional 911 Center. Officers have trained on the technical use of body-worn cameras, on when recording should take place and on how footage is processed and redacted, and the program also covers dash-mounted cameras in patrol vehicles. The department advises people to assume an officer is recording while taking law enforcement action, and a small indicator light shows when a camera is on. The animal control officer treats an injured animal hit by a car, a bite or attack in progress, a possibly rabid animal in contact with people or pets, or a vicious dog at large as an emergency, and residents should call 911 for attacks. Other matters, such as dead animals away from traffic, quarantines, strays, wildlife near homes and nuisance complaints, wait for the officer's regular weekday business hours. Impounded animals are held for up to ten days while the officer works to reach the owner, who must pay any fees before release.