RICHMOND, Va. -- In a few months, every officer in the Richmond Police Department will be equipped with a body camera.
The department said this new effort is intended to provide more accountability for the department.
Mayor Dwight Jones and police announced, at a Tuesday morning press conference, the purchase of 200 TASER body cameras.
Jones said the city felt the need to purchase the cameras after questions were raised nationwide about fair treatment and accountability for officers.
“We hope that these cameras will deter some of the concerns that we hear from around the country,” Jones said. “Our goal is to keep everyone safe; our goal is to keep everyone secure.”
The cameras will be worn on glasses, the lapel, or mounted on the chest. Chief Alfred Durham said they are in the pilot phase where 40 officers are testing out the cameras and policies for a 30-day initial review.
Chief Durham said officers will be required to notify the subject that they are being recorded and will start recording as soon as a service call is made. The video will be saved for at least 90 days, or until it is no longer needed in an investigation.
The city hopes the cameras will reduce crime in addition to significantly limiting the number of complaints and use of force incidents.
Durham hopes every officer will be equipped with a body camera by the spring.
Click the video below to see a Richmond officer execute a traffic stop wearing a body camera.
