Phoenix police take new body-worn cameras from training to patrol

PHOENIX – A dozen Phoenix police officers received body cameras Thursday, as part of the department’s continued rollout of equipping all patrol officers with the technology.

Police took them on patrol right after a demonstration at the South Mountain Precinct.

“Once you’ve decided that you’re no longer going to record an incident, you’re going to press and hold that button for about four seconds, or until it vibrates,” Sgt. Kevin Johnson explained.

The body-worn cameras can record video for 12 straight hours. A team of 30 will review it periodically.

In the South Mountain precinct, ⁦@phoenixpolice⁩ get training for new body cameras that they immediately take on patrol. Police hope the cameras will make everyone, including them, behave better. UPDATES ⁦@KTAR923⁩ pic.twitter.com/0wURmUabAy

— Peter Samore (@ktarpetersamore) June 21, 2019

The department, now up to 618 cameras, will be equipped with a total of 1,200 by mid-August.

“If it means the community and the officers interact differently, in a positive way, then it’s worth every penny we spend,” Sgt. Tommy Thompson said.

And he reminded reporters that the body-worn camera video won’t capture everything.

“Keep in mind you’re still two-dimensional,” Thompson said. “But certainly, having body-worn cameras provides the officers with an opportunity for the community to see a little bit more of what they see.”

He also asks for the community’s patience as the officers get past the learning curve of remembering to turn the cameras on and off.

The latest round of cameras arrived weeks after a video of a family suspected of shoplifting facing police who had drawn their guns went viral.

Dravon Ames and fiancee Iesha Harper have filed a $10 million complaint against the city.

The officers were not wearing body cameras.

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