The Phoenix Police Department recently received a federal grant to buy 50 on-officer cameras for the Maryvale precinct.

The $500,000 comes from a U.S. Department of Justice Smart Policing Initiative grant. Phoenix police will partner with Arizona State University to examine the impact of the cameras on crime and public and police accountability.

"The technology that this grant will provide will enhance our officers' ability to provide quality police service in keeping with the highest standards of the Phoenix Police Department," acting police Chief Joe Yahner said.

BACKGROUND

Earlier this year, Phoenix officers tested the system, in which small video cameras are attached to an officer's uniform. The pilot program was conducted for free, involving 18 officers in the Cactus Park and South Mountain precincts. The three-month trial that ended in June resulted in 860 hours of video. From that, footage is being used as court evidence in 62 cases in the system, officials said.

HOW IT WORKS

The camera is worn like a Bluetooth device, around the head and over the ear. The officer controls when it is turned on and off through a remote control on the chest. A video monitor is attached to the belt. Arizona law requires that only one person be aware that they are being recorded, but officers answered when asked if they were recording.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The on-officer video-camera pilot program was among 34 Phoenix-wide recommendations developed by a city task force in January to improve relations between the Phoenix Police Department and the community. The City Manager's Community Engagement and Outreach Task Force was established in April 2010 after several police incidents angered residents, including one in March 2010 in which City Councilman Michael Johnson, who is African-American, was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by a White officer.

"It brings a higher level of professionalism from the law-enforcement officer and makes the resident behave in a more responsible manner," Julian Nobozny, a task-force member, said of the cameras.