Essex County Cops To Wear Body Cameras

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Forty cops with the Essex County Sheriff's Office are being outfitted with body cameras.

The idea is to increase transparency and accountability while de-escalating intense situations between officers and the public they serve, WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron reported.

"Police body cameras record and document interaction with residents and have proved to minimize complaints about police officer behavior and the necessary use of force," Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.

The cameras are being paid for with $84,000 in criminal forfeiture funds.

"Studies have shown conclusively in any area where body cameras have been used that conduct improves both by officers and by citizens," said Carolyn Murray, acting county prosecutor.