Coeur d'Alene Police purchase body cameras for patrol | Crime

Body cameras have been purchased by the Coeur d’Alene Police Department to record incidents from the officer point-of-view. The department spent about $36,000 from their budget to purchase 47 body cameras from the Seattle, Wash. based company, Vievu.

Police officials say the body cameras are currently in use by patrol officers.

Chief Wayne Longo explained in a news release that the cameras are expected to determine why an officer reacted the way they did in order to improve customer service. Unlike dash cams, the recorded footage will record officer actions happening in front of him and away from the patrol vehicle.

The footage will be used as evidence when need be and can help supervisors, judges or a jury understand actions.