D.C. Police Will Start Wearing Body Cameras

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More than 160 District of Columbia police officers will wear cameras that record them performing their duties as part of a six-month pilot program.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier said Wednesday that she believes the camera program will enhance safety for officers and the public as well as cutting down on the time spent conducting internal investigations.

The pilot program will cost $1 million. Lanier says it will probably take between two and three years to outfit all the department's patrol officers with cameras.

A handful of police departments around the country have started giving officers wearable cameras. Lanier says she's spoken with other police chiefs and received positive feedback about the practice.

The city's police union also supports the camera program, which starts Oct. 1.