FOX 7 Discussion: Body cameras on APD officers

Austin Police officers will soon have a new addition to their uniforms body cameras.

This comes after years of fighting to get the funding for the equipment.

The department purchased more than 700 cameras through state and federal grants.

The first 200 will be rolled out this week to officers in east Austin.

Downtown officers will be fitted for cameras November and police working in south Austin will get theirs in December.

APD interim chief Brian Manley said the department has a policy in place about for where the cameras are worn, how they are to be used, and when they are to be used.

Officers will also have to let people know when cameras are recording, unless it's unsafe for them to do so.

FOX 7’s Ashley Paredez talks to NAACP President Nelson Linder about why he is an advocate for officer body cameras and how the cameras will bring transparency to the city of Austin.