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Chicago announces expansion of police body-camera program

Posted November 29, 2015 6:00 am

The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago says it's expanding a program to provide police officers with body cameras.

The announcement Sunday from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office follows the release last week of a squad-car video showing an officer fatally shooting teenager Laquan McDonald. The officer wasn't wearing a body camera.

Chicago will expand the program into six more police districts in 2016. Emanuel says in a statement that the expansion into one-third of the city will "strengthen the fabric of trust" between officers and residents. The statement doesn't mention McDonald or demonstrations in recent days calling for police reforms.

Chicago's pilot body-camera program began in January. Just 30 cameras are currently being tested. Sunday's statement says the expansion will be paid for with a $1.1 million federal grant and $1.1 million in matching city funds.

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