Detroit police plan to use body cameras for all officers

The Detroit Police Department and city officials are set to announce today a plan to outfit all Detroit Police officers with body cameras, joining a growing number of law enforcement agencies that have decided to use them.

Mayor Mike Duggan's office said in a statement that details will be announced at a 2 p.m. press conference along with plans to equip all patrol cars with working dash cameras. Police Chief James Craig, Duggan and other officials will be on hand for the announcement at DPD headquarters.

In March, Duggan and Craig announced a test run of body cameras. They said the department is seeking greater transparency in its daily dealings with the public. About 20 Detroit police officers' uniforms were outfitted with the cameras for a 90-day pilot. The device, which was mounted on the officers' lapels, shirts or glasses, recorded interactions with the public during each shift and the contents were uploaded daily to a digital cloud.

A number of other Michigan departments are adding body cameras, including Bay City. In June, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, said his office was examining whether it would spend $1.5 million to $2 million or more to outfit the agency with body cameras. Michigan State Police announced earlier this year that the agency was in the middle of testing about two dozen body cameras on some Capitol security officers and troopers in southeast Michigan.

In June, leaders of several state law enforcement associations said nearly 30 police departments in Michigan are using body cameras and almost all agencies in the state were discussing using them.

President Barack Obama has promoted the use of body cameras by police after last year's shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo.

The Associated Press and Free Press reporter Christina Hall contributed to this report.