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After testing them on nine officers earlier this year, all of the Helena Police Department's uniformed officers will soon have body cameras to record their interactions with the public. (Martin J. Reed / mreed@al.com)

HELENA, Alabama -- All 22 of the Helena Police Department's uniformed officers will soon have body cameras in use to record their interactions with the public.

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security in March awarded funding to the department to purchase nine cameras for officers. The City Council's budget for the department this fiscal year includes funding to equip the remaining uniformed officers.

The department's body cameras come at a time with criticism and concern arising over the events of Ferguson, Mo., and other incidents involving police interaction with the public.

"In light of situations around the country, we are pleased we have this new tool available for the police to use and for the public's peace of mind that incidents are recorded and there's not as many questions as to what actually happened during an incident," Mayor Mark Hall, the city's former police chief, said.

"It's just another way to make sure the community trust is instilled and they know that our police department is doing everything possible to do the right thing, even willing to wear body cameras to make sure everything we do is correct," Hall said.

The black camera is about an inch or so tall and wide, and it attaches to the middle front of the officer's uniform shirt. The camera will record audio and video when the officer is outside of the vehicle on a call.

Helena Police Officer Chris Morgan said the camera is a benefit for the department and the community. "It's a safety aspect for us and the public," said Morgan, who has been wearing the camera on his shifts since earlier this year.

"You don't notice it's there, but you feel more protected when you have it with you because you have a constant (recording) of what you say and what the public says," Morgan said.

Police Lt. Brad Flynn said the camera records high-definition video with clear audio of interactions. "It's been an enormous tool for us both practically as far as the benefits we get from it and because these officers feel more confident doing their job having these cameras," Flynn said.

The department received a $23,000 grant earlier this year to purchase the cameras as well as tablets for officers to use as the agency transitions from using laptops. The department implemented the cameras in April.

The city's budget provided about $7,300 to the department to purchase the remaining cameras for the officers. The new cameras should be ready to use in a couple of weeks.

"We just think it's a great idea no matter what's happening anywhere," Hall said about getting the cameras. "It gives the public confidence the police officers are trying to do what's right. It also gives the police officer another means of preservation of evidence for presentation in court."