Task Force Recommends Pilot Body Camera Program For Howard Co. Police

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) -- A citizen-led task force has recommended that the Howard County Police Department should implement a pilot program to explore the use of body cameras.

The Baltimore Sun reports members of the advisory council suggested the cameras could help "ensure equality for both the officer and the citizen."

Citizen Advisory Council chair Linda Lee Hickerson says the program could eliminate "the he said/she said" issue during a traffic stop, arrest or other interaction.

The council's report noted that county officials should work out a policy before implementing the cameras.

The report didn't estimate the cost of a pilot program or elaborate on details such as duration and scope.

Other recommendations included increasing police interaction with youths, expanding diversity training and organizing community projects.

(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)