The South Heidelberg Township Police Department on Tuesday began using eight body cameras intended to give officers additional evidence during arrests.
The township supervisors approved the purchase of the cameras in July, and on Tuesday Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams presented a $15,216 check to pay for the first year of the five-year program.
The total cost will be about $42,000, including the cameras, accessories and data storage, police Chief Leon Grim said.
By having eight cameras, each officer on duty, including the school resource officer, will be able to wear one, he said.
The cameras will make work safer for the officers and help with criminal investigations by providing an impartial witness during arrests, he said.
“In today’s courtroom, the advantage of having video recordings of a police encounter will bolster the prosecution, both for the police and the DA’s office,” he said. “Juries want irrefutable proof of what occurred, and the cameras provide that proof.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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