Selmer adds body cams to police force
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SELMER, Tenn. — A West Tennessee police department is putting the final touches on implementing body cameras in their community to help better protect themselves and those they serve. “The way things are in this day in time, the officer has enough problems out on the street as it is,” Police Chief Neal Burks said. “Anything we can do to help them, that’s what I think we need to do.” Burks says body cameras are now a requirement for all 11 of his patrol officers. They cost the department close to $300 and are a tool that officers said will be beneficial. “A little protection for us and the public as well,” Officer Christopher Kerr said. Now every time a Selmer police officer steps out of their car, they will be required to press a button that will then activate the camera. Chief Burks said the new addition is something that may cause different reactions from those they protect. “They need to realize when they get stopped everything they say and do will be recorded,” Burks said. Burks said when the officer finishes the recording it then will be uploaded into a computer. The officers who will be wearing the cameras will have no way of deleting what they have recorded. “The simple fact that we will have it and for our protection — everything will be on video. I mean, it’s cut and dry,” Kerr said. The cameras will go into effect Tuesday morning.
