LAPD Begins Testing On-Body Cameras

Photo courtesy of TASER.Los Angeles Police officers will begin testing on-body video systems after a new police commissioner and city councilman said the systems would lower the city's payouts to settle use-of-force lawsuits.

The LAPD is expected to test the systems for three months before implementing mandatory camera use by field officers. Use of on-body video is now in limited use in the agency. Using it is optional and LAPD officers must purchase their own cameras.

The cameras could be implemented quickly, once the agency establishes procedures for their use and addresses privacy concerns when officers enter residences, Police Commission President Steve Soboroff told the Los Angeles Daily News.

For the testing period, the LAPD will acquire 25 TASER Axon Flex cameras. In the meantime, Soboroff hopes to raise enough money from private donors to pay for the 500 cameras, warranties, and cloud storage space for the data. It would cost the city about $1 million.