Muncie police to get body cameras in 4 months

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) – Most Muncie Police Department officers will be outfitted with body cameras under a contract the city has awarded to an Arizona company.

Police Chief Steve Stewart tells The Star Press his goal is to have the cameras in place in four months.

The cameras will be used to record interactions between police and members of the public. They’ve gaining growing attention in recent months because of fatal police encounters with suspects, particularly in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City.

Muncie Redevelopment Commission Director Todd Donati says a $380,000 contract with Taser International of Arizona includes 90 cameras, charging and docking stations, software and cloud-based storage. The commission will pay for the contract.

Other Indiana law enforcement agencies also have adopted the use body cameras or are considering their use.