Los Angeles to Purchase 7,000 Body Cameras to Increase 'Trust' in LAPD Police Officers in Wake of Police Brutality Cases [Pic]
Los Angeles will be the first city to outfit its police force with body cameras.
On Tuesday, the city’s mayor Eric Garcetti announced the Los Angeles Police Department's officers will begin using 7,000 body cameras.
Garcetti announced that Los Angeles will buy body cameras for its officers to allow for greater transparency between the LAPD and the citizens following the death of Michael Brown death, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The Mayor’s Office announced the news via Twitter.
According to the LA Times, the news have been welcomed by advocates who argue cameras can help both citizens and the police by simultaneously protecting citizens from police wrongdoing and clearing officers accused of misconduct.
In a press release, the Mayor’s Office discussed the plan to purchase the cameras and talked about how Los Angeles began working on this project before President Barack Obama called for cameras on police officers.
“Out on the street, things aren't always clear cut. These cameras will help law enforcement and the public alike find the truth -- and truth is essential to the trust between the LAPD and the community, which has been a key factor in lowering crime to record lows," Mayor Garcetti said. "I want to make sure LAPD is on the cutting edge when it comes to crime suppression and constitutional policing."
The statement also explains that Police Commission President Steve Soboroff has almost succeeded in raising the $1.5 million needed in private donations to pay for the first 800 cameras. The rest of the cameras’ cost will be included in next year’s budget.
Bloomberg reports Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Katzenberg, Activision Blizzard Inc. CEO Bobby Kotick and Occidental Petroleum Corp. chief Stephen Chazen have all contributed to the body camera fund. The LAPD sent out a tweet showing images of the body cameras to be bought.
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