Palo Alto Cops To Wear Video Cameras

After unanimous city council vote

Police officers in Palo Alto will soon add body-mounted video cameras to the equipment they carry.

The city council voted unanimously Monday night to purchase the devices as part of a $305,000 contract with WatchGuard Video to replace obsolete camera systems inside of patrol cars.

Nine officers will initially wear the video cameras, according to a report from the city manager's office.

"This will allow officers, primarily on motorcycles, to capture video evidence when they are away from their vehicles," the report said.

According to the report, video technology has become instrumental in law enforcement training and evidence collection, as well as for officer safety and accountability, since the police department first placed camera systems in its patrol cars in 2006.

 (H/T Charles WT)