DC police to start wearing body cameras

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 160 District of Columbia police officers will wear cameras that record them performing their duties as part of a six-month pilot program.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier said Wednesday that the cameras would enhance safety for officers and the public and make internal investigations more efficient.

She says she hopes to expand the program to the entire department within three years.

A handful of police departments around the country have started giving officers wearable cameras, and Lanier said she’s received positive feedback from other police chiefs.

The pilot program will cost $1 million.

Lanier says supervisors who investigate complaints against officers will be able to use the videos to look at what happened at the scene of an arrest or traffic stop. The city’s police union also supports the camera program.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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