Patrol Officers In Lansing Now Using Body Cameras

LANSING (AP) - Officials say patrol officers in Lansing are now using body cameras.

The update was announced Thursday by Mayor Virg Bernero and Lansing Police Chief Mike Yankowski. The use of the cameras comes after Bernero last year pledged that his administration would make deploying body-worn cameras a top priority.

The mayor's office says the cameras are designed to keep officers and the public safe by recording interactions that can later be used as evidence. The department purchased 130 body-worn cameras, related support equipment and enhanced data storage for $181,000.

A number of other Michigan departments are adding body cameras or considering them. President Barack Obama has promoted the use of body cameras by police after the 2014 shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.