Detroit Police Plan To Use Body Cameras For 2nd Test Run
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Detroit's police chief says officers will use body cameras for a second test run.
Chief James Craig told The Detroit News editorial board Tuesday that he and Mayor Mike Duggan are in the early stages of putting together another test trial. No bigger than a lipstick tube, the cameras are meant to record an officer's-eye view at all times.
Last April, 18 police officers and two supervisors in the 2nd Precinct took part in a 30-day body camera pilot program. Under the new trial, Craig says 30 officers would volunteer to wear them.
"The mayor is committed, as I am committed, to using them to enhance officer safety and have a positive impact on mitigating allegations of misconduct," Craig said. "Body cameras can also enhance transparency with the community."
Duggan's spokesman, John Roach, said the mayor is interested in using the body cameras but "wants to see how they'll work first."
President Barack Obama has promoted the use of body cameras by police in the wake of the August shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
"There's certainly a heightened concern for officer safety," said Craig. "I've not seen anything like this nationally going back to before I even got into law enforcement" 38 years ago.
A representative of the Arizona-based company that produces the Taser Axon Flex Body-Worn Camera and Taser Body System Camera said independent studies have shown a 60 percent reduction in the use of force and an 88 percent reduction in false claims against police departments that use the product.
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