The Los Angeles Police Department, the third-largest city police force in the United States, is set to deploy body-worn cameras, according to the Los Angeles Times

The newspaper noted that the cameras would be paid for through "private donations," not through public funds, and that Mayor Eric Garcetti is set to announce the program later on Tuesday. The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to Ars’ request for comment.

"With this program, LA will be a national leader in the use of these cameras," the mayor's office said in statement. "While events in Ferguson and President Obama's call have brought this issue recent national attention, Mayor Garcetti's administration has been moving forward on the use of on-body cameras for over one year."

This year the issue of body-worn cameras on police officers came to the fore after the killings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York City at the hands of local cops.

In the aftermath of grand jury decisions to not indict the officers responsible, the Obama administration released a review of how local law enforcement agencies use equipment, proposing that the federal government spend $263 million over three years to "expand training for law enforcement agencies (LEAs)" and "add more resources for police department reform." The review included a proposal to dedicate $75 million over three years to buy up to 50,000 body cameras for local LEAs.

While a number of cities across the United States have (or are looking into obtaining) body-worn cameras, there are also issues if the cameras are disabled or removed in some way. On Monday, Ars reported that over the last two years, the city of Oakland has disciplined 24 officers, including one who was terminated for removing his or her camera.