San Diego Considers Buying Cop Cams for All Officers

San Diego is considering whether to require police officers to wear body cameras in light of criminal charges and allegations of sexual misconduct by uniformed officers.

The officers will wear the cameras while on duty, recording video and sound from a location on the officer’s shoulder or chest.

The proposal would start by spending $200,000 on 100 cameras. The city would then buy more for officers bringing that total to $2 million a year.

Originally, former police chief William Lansdowne had suggested the idea as a way to avoid misunderstandings or lawsuits and help mediate with officers in question.

Body cameras were already in the 2015 budget but Lansdowne requested the process move faster after the arrest and arraignment of former officer Christopher Hays and the investigation into SDPD officer Donald Moncrief.

The cameras would also help with accusations of racial profiling from the department.

Newly appointed Chief Shelley Zimmerman has said 99.9 percent of SDPD’s officers serve with professionalism. For the few that dishonor their badges, she says she will not tolerate it.

The San Diego City Council's Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

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