Norman police deployed 75 body-worn cameras and seven in-car video units May 1 to aid in multiple department duties.
The cameras will allow the department to record investigative contacts, aid in prosecuting criminal cases and provide better insight into service and incident calls, according to a press release.
The department had been researching the use of cameras since 2012, and in August 2016 conducted a three-week testing period in which it deployed 12 officers with body cameras. In December 2016, the department entered an agreement with WatchGuard Video to provide equipment to roll out the program, according to the release.
The department also aims to increase public transparency with the implementation of the program, according to the release. All retained video recordings will be maintained at the Norman Police Department, and general requests for video can be made through the records division.
