Milwaukee Police begin using body cameras

The Milwaukee Police Department said in an email, “200 body cameras are being initially deployed today [Wednesday] in Districts 2, 5, and the Neighborhood Task Force. “

According to a policy agreed on last Thursday, officers will wear the mounted cameras at eye level during their entire shift. Officers will be required to start recording when they are about to start investigation or enforcement action.  

By next year, the goal is to have 1,200 officers wearing the cameras while on the streets. According to the policy, cameras will not be recording all the time.

Officers will turn off the cameras when they face situations like when they're talking to sexual assault victims. They also have the option to turn them off when they're doing traffic control for a fire, crime scene, or a crash. Also, witnesses can request the officer stop recording before giving a statement.

Milwaukee Alderman Tony Zielinski said, "It's going to protect the police, it's going to protect the residents, it's going to save taxpayer money in the long run. It's just one of those initiatives that's a winner all the way around. I really don't see any downside to this whatsoever."

The video recorded will be uploaded and stored on an offsite server. The body cameras and the server are made and operated by the same company which makes tasers.