The Hickory Police Department is hoping a new law enforcement tool can help its officers on the streets.
Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty was with officers Thursday when dozens of officers were fitted for new body cameras.
Faherty didn’t wait long to see how quickly an officer can activate one of the cameras.
With a simple push of a button, it can be deployed.
"The cameras are very lightweight. I don't even notice it is there. It is high quality and you don't even feel it through your shirt," said Lt. Cam Anderson.
Ninety patrol officers have gone through training on how to use the cameras that weigh less than a pound.
"Any significant encounter law enforcement action public contact our officers have the video the audio will be there. That is our intent. That is our goal,” said Hickory Police Capt. Thurman Whisnant.
Police told Channel 9 they can even record stuff they're not expecting, like sitting in their patrol car and seeing someone run a red light. That's because the camera is always rolling recording the previous 30 seconds.
Police said they can also purchase five body cameras for the price of one dash camera.
Officers said those dash cameras only pick up 10 percent of what an officer does every day while the body camera goes with them everywhere.
"If we identify there are training needs then we can address that and if our officer has done the right thing it will give us what we need to exonerate the officer,” Whisnant said.
The department spent $98,000 for the equipment and network to store the video. The cost drops to $60,000 in year two.
Most people are unaware of the cameras because they are so small.
"I think it is a good idea. If they get questioned about doing something they're not supposed to they've got proof,” said resident Harvey Matthews. "Law enforcement needs all the help they can get."
Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty was with officers Thursday when dozens of officers were fitted for new body cameras.
Faherty didn’t wait long to see how quickly an officer can activate one of the cameras.
With a simple push of a button, it can be deployed.
"The cameras are very lightweight. I don't even notice it is there. It is high quality and you don't even feel it through your shirt," said Lt. Cam Anderson.
Ninety patrol officers have gone through training on how to use the cameras that weigh less than a pound.
"Any significant encounter law enforcement action public contact our officers have the video the audio will be there. That is our intent. That is our goal,” said Hickory Police Capt. Thurman Whisnant.
Police told Channel 9 they can even record stuff they're not expecting, like sitting in their patrol car and seeing someone run a red light. That's because the camera is always rolling recording the previous 30 seconds.
Police said they can also purchase five body cameras for the price of one dash camera.
Officers said those dash cameras only pick up 10 percent of what an officer does every day while the body camera goes with them everywhere.
"If we identify there are training needs then we can address that and if our officer has done the right thing it will give us what we need to exonerate the officer,” Whisnant said.
The department spent $98,000 for the equipment and network to store the video. The cost drops to $60,000 in year two.
Most people are unaware of the cameras because they are so small.
"I think it is a good idea. If they get questioned about doing something they're not supposed to they've got proof,” said resident Harvey Matthews. "Law enforcement needs all the help they can get."
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