South Jersey University Equips Police Officers With Body Cameras
By David Madden
GLASSBORO, N.J. (CBS) -- Many police departments from coast to coast are at least experimenting with equipping officers with body cameras. One South Jersey university is the first in the state to issue them to every member of the force.
Rowan University quietly rolled out the cameras to all 34 officers last week. State law now requires at least a camera in every police car. Lt. Craig Shute says the body cams will provide a better record.
"Our officers spend a lot of time walking foot patrol, going to dorms, dealing with students, trying to get a personal basis out there. So we just thought it would be money better spent."
The cost is under 100 thousand dollars.
Footage is uploaded at the end of each shift to a secure site. If it's needed for a future court proceeding, it's saved in an evidence folder. If not, school policy requires it be destroyed after 90 days.
Shute, a 25 year veteran of the Rowan force, says the cameras will settle a lot of disputes when people complain about their interactions with police.
To view police clip of showing varying views of body cameras vs. dashboard cameras, click here.