Tampa's police department is the latest to incorporate body cameras.

Officers have been testing the new gear and receiving training this week. Today, officers will begin using the cameras on patrols.

The cameras, which will have to be activated by the officers, can be attached to officer's glasses, hats or shoulders.

“A lot of the public doesn't understand what we do out here and how we react to certain situations is key, and if the citizens see what we're seeing from our point of view, I think it's really going to open their eyes,” said Richard Caldwell, one of the 60 officers who volunteered to wear the new body camera.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said studies show this technology will help.

“My prediction is it may improve officers’ behavior a little bit, improve citizen behavior a whole lot and it's going to be a whole new reality show for the rest of the citizens,” Castor said.

Caldwell said his camera already came in hand Friday with a resident who had to be Baker Acted.

“And he was acting very aggressively towards us and all of that was on camera and I'm glad it was on camera,” said Caldwell.

The biggest drawback to the using the cameras likely will be privacy issues.

When police respond to a home or make a traffic stop, whatever is recorded could be subject to public record - regardless of how embarrassing or intrusive the footage may be for citizens involved.

Body cameras received a big push last year during the Michael Brown shooting case in Ferguson, Missouri. Because of conflicting viewpoints and varying witness reports, there was a public outcry.

Body cameras became a solution - Albeit an expensive one.

TPD's expense for the cameras is $1,383 each. With video storage and maintenance, add another $956 per year for each camera.

The city of Tampa has signed a five-year contract with Arizona-based technology company Taser International. Over the life of the contract, each camera will cost about $1,000 to maintain.

Sixty officers have gone through training and were outfitted with the devices starting on their patrols Friday.

Whether the department invests in more cameras depends on the technology's effectiveness during the rollout period, officials said.