About 90 Chesapeake, Va., police officers have joined a growing number of law enforcers across the country who are wearing body cameras, reports the Virginian-Pilot. Police Chief Kelvin Wright says the cameras can capture evidence, protect officers from complaints and help to improve training and safety. Video captured by the officers can also be used as evidence in court. Wright said, “I’m a firm believer that you should live your life as if you’re always on camera.”
He said he wanted the body cameras mainly for officers who interact frequently with the public and for those who have received a high number of complaints. The cameras have cleared officers who have received complaints against them, he said. And it has sped up the time for clearing the complaints. The $650 cameras, which can be clipped to an officer’s shirt, are made by VIEVU of Seattle, which says its devices are now used by more than 1,100 agencies nationwide.