1st Baltimore Police Officers Now Wearing Body Cameras

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Some Baltimore police officers are now wearing body cameras, launching their pilot program. The goal is to enhance both the police officers' and public's safety.

Tracey Leong explains how the department is pushing transparency forward with these new tools.

The Baltimore police officers have the option to turn the body cameras on or off, but their motto is "when in doubt... record it."

Baltimore police officers now have an extra set of eyes. The department is equipping 155 detectives and officers with body cameras across the city.

"There's two sides to every story, and it's not often the police officer's side really comes out," said Hannah Perrish, Baltimore City Police Department.

In an effort to address concerns with police brutality, the Baltimore City Council voted last November 12 to 1 in favor of implementing body cameras for officers--a program the department is excited to launch.

"Improved public confidence in their law enforcement agency, additional evidence that could be used for prosecutorial purposes, enhanced officer safety and decreased citizen complaints," said Dean Palmere, Deputy Commissioner of Operations.

Even for something as routine as a traffic stop, officers are encouraged to turn their body cameras on--just in case something goes wrong.

"Cameras don't lie," said Rose Borrero.

A tool the public supports.

"I know if I get pulled over for no reason, they can't do nothing bad to me because they got body cameras," said Shantron Monroe.

"That way it will protect the officers if they're not doing wrong, and it will also protect the citizens if there's anything going wrong," said Diane Williams.

The 54-day pilot program will allow the department to try out three different companies and then formulate a final plan.

Officer Hannah Perrish looks forward to how it will help her protect the city.

"The fairness on each side, and if there's not, if there's there's stuff going wrong that needs to be fixed, that needs to be addressed. I think it will hold everyone a little more accountable," Officer Perrish said.

After the pilot program, the department will decide which of the three vendors to go with. The full program is planned to start in February.

The Baltimore Police Department plans to equip all officers with body cameras over the next two years.