DOJ unveils $20 million police body camera program

WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- A $20 million pilot program to expand police use of body cameras was announced Friday by the U.S. Dept. of Justice.

Use of the small cameras, typically worn chest-high by police to record interactions, is meant to improve relations between law enforcement agencies and the public, and comes after a year of incidents and national protest over alleged use of lethal force by police. The plan was announced the day protests were scheduled in Baltimore, and the day after San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee said he will seek $6.6 million to equip each San Francisco patrol officer with a body camera.

"This body-worn camera pilot program is a vital part of the Justice Department's comprehensive efforts to equip law enforcement agencies throughout the country with the tools, support, and training they need to tackle the 21st century challenges we face. Body-worn cameras hold tremendous promise for enhancing transparency, promoting accountability, and advancing public safety for law enforcement officers and the communities they serve," said U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch in a statement.

Officials budgeted $17 million for the cameras, to be offered to police departments through competitive grants; $2 million for training and $1 million for follow-up evaluation.

A report in march by a white house task force on policing, did not specifically mention a recommendation of body cameras, but noted their use reduce examples of use of force by police and complaints by the public.