ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — Body cameras worn by Pasco Sheriff’s deputies have recorded everything from shoot-outs to chases to crashes.
Now the much smaller Zephyrhills Police Department will be able to do the same.
“Everybody is excited about it,” said Lt. Matt Hillen.
Officers at ZPD are training this week with the cameras.
“Once they’ve understood where they’ve been recorded in the past and actually helped them and helped provide their case. It’s a great tool; great evidence we can use in court and also to help our officers,” said Hillen.
Many ZPD patrol cars already had cameras, and they were also attached to Tasers.
Officers will wear them on their chest, different than the point of view models the sheriff’s office uses.
Retired cop Stephen Hadley is with AXON, the company that supplies the body cameras to agencies around the world.
“It’s become the expectation of the public. They are demanding transparency from the police departments and the police departments want to give it to them,” said Hadley.
Start-up costs for ZPD are about $30,000.
All officers will be wearing them as soon as training is done.
