Baltimore Police Begin Distributing Body Cameras
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Police body cameras have hit the streets in Baltimore City. The first wave of cameras have been given out to city officers and are now in operation.
Meghan McCorkell got an inside look at the training that officers are getting.
So far, a few dozen cameras are on the streets as the department begins training officers in how to use them.
Citizen cell phones, surveillance footage and Citiwatch cameras. But now new cameras are on the streets, keeping an eye on interactions between the community and Baltimore City police.
"We want the officers to be able to use the cameras efficiently and effectively," said training director Major Marc Partee.
The first police body cameras in Baltimore City are now being handed out.
Calls for the cameras grew louder last year when six police officers were charged in the death of Freddie Gray.
The entire police force is now getting extensive training on when the cameras must be used.
"Any call for service, it has to be turned on. Any interaction with the public, it has to be turned on," Partee said.
What they won't be used for: keeping any kind of database of who shows up to things like protests.
The cameras will be deployed in five phases.
"The goal is to have the entire department equipped by 2018," said .
Officers involved in the camera pilot program last year say they proved helpful.
"You can go back and see this is exactly what happened; this is what he recovered. I think it takes away some of the second-guessing that can possibly happen sometime," said Baltimore City police officer Anthony Ward.
An extra set of eyes for both police and the community they serve.
Police say if officers don't have the cameras on when they are supposed to, they could face administrative discipline.
The city spent more than $11 million to launch the body camera program.
