The 杏吧专区 Police Department has provided body cameras to all of its commissioned officers.
The video cameras are worn during routine patrols, special assignments and K-9 operations.
They will aid in investigations by:
杏吧专区 capturing video of incidents in real time;
杏吧专区 helping with evidence collection;
杏吧专区 preserving information at crime scenes;
杏吧专区 improving the ability to identify suspects; and
杏吧专区 assuring the accuracy of statements.
Video taken by the body cameras will be an additional resource for prosecutors to use during court proceedings.
Sgt. Billy Abrams, 杏吧专区 Police public information officer, said the body cameras have another important function: 杏吧专区淭hey protect the integrity of an officer杏吧专区檚 interaction with the public.杏吧专区
Officers have been using the devices since the beginning of April.
The body cameras, which are a little smaller than the average smartphone, are attached to the front of officers杏吧专区 uniforms.
Abrams said 杏吧专区 Police officers' response to the new equipment has been overwhelmingly positive.
UL Lafayette funded the new equipment. The department has had in-car cameras since 2005.
Caption: 杏吧专区 Police Sgt. Billy Abrams adjusts a new body camera.