All Sacramento Police Officers Will Have Body Cameras By September

SACRAMENTO, CA — All Sacramento Police officers should be wearing body cameras by the end of the summer, according to a statement from the Department. Some officers began wearing the cameras in March of this year, but that was just an initial deployment, or "phase one."

The Sacramento Police Department has had car-mounted cameras for nearly two decades, according to the report. The statement says these cameras, coupled with the body cameras, will be great assets in providing transparency to the community.

The Sacramento City Council approved the department's proposal of a five-year agreement with Axon brand Body Worn Cameras at a cost of just under $4 million. The program is funded through 2018 by a combination of grants.

The cameras will be able to record audio and video, the statement said. Officers say they welcome the cameras and understand the benefit it will have on their work.

“It is important that the citizens of our communities have confidence in their Police Department. These cameras are just one part of our continued commitment to maintain that confidence through transparency and accountability,” Interim Chief Brian Louie stated.

Image via Sacramento Police Department