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All LSP patrol troopers will wear body cameras in 2017

7 years 3 months 5 days ago Wednesday, December 21 2016 Dec 21, 2016 December 21, 2016 6:58 PM December 21, 2016 in News
Source: WBRZ

BATON ROUGE – All Louisiana State Police patrol troopers will wear body cameras in 2017, law enforcement leaders announced on Wednesday. 

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced the iniative in a joint press conference at the Governor's mansion Wednesday afternoon. Edwards said LSP will purchase 1,500 body cameras in January to outfit every officer. 

The body cameras, TASER's "Axxon Body 2," were piloted this year in February through September by 22 Troopers.

With the purchase, Louisiana State Police will be able to outfit more than 700 Patrol Troopers. The cameras will integrate with the TASER X2 that is currently carried by Troopers.

Louisiana State Police will keep additional cameras for replacement and for Troopers on special assignments. Troopers will continue to use their in-car cameras.

Col. Mike Edmonson described the program as a "home run."

“Nothing is more important than the safety of the public we serve and the Troopers committed to that service.  We must ensure that we maintain transparency and accountability through proper training, sound procedures and the latest technology,” said Colonel Edmonson.  “For nearly twenty years our Troopers have used in-car cameras to document interactions with members of the public, but I am pleased to announce that we will now be taking that capability a step further.”

Body cameras on officers has been heavily discussed across the country in the wake of either officer-involved shootings or discussions about ways to ensure police and members of the community have a cohesive relationship.

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