Alexandria Police Department to Purchase Body Cameras

The Alexandria Police Department will soon have body-worn cameras for each of its three officers.
During the regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Alexandria Mayor and Board of Aldermen voted to purchase two additional cameras for the department at the request of Police Chief Mark Collins but the city will be reimbursed with grant funds. The department already has one body camera.
“Sergeant Chris Russell applied for a grant sometime back to 100% fund these body cameras and the board (aldermen) approved to forward us the money to buy these cameras but it will be a complete 100% reimbursement with grant money. We will be refunded,” said Chief Collins.
“These body cameras will be worn by each officer to protect them and the citizens they serve. It’s just a good tool that police officers need nowadays because in today’s time you need as much video (evidence) as you possibly can. It’s almost got to the point if people can’t see it they sometimes don’t believe it. I’m real fortunate that the board voted to do this for me and I am proud to have them,” Chief Collins said.
“These cameras will do video and audio and you can set a mode on them to where you can take still pictures,” he continued.
The aldermen have instructed Chief Collins to develop a departmental policy on how the cameras are to be used. “A policy will be implemented to require that these cameras be worn by officers on all calls. That way when they are on a call they have some means of protecting themselves (video evidence) and to protect the citizens from any “he said” “she said”.
The total cost to purchase the two cameras comes to $1,000. Chief Collins said he plans to order them Wednesday and they should arrive by the middle of November.