DeKalb County police show off new body cameras

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The DeKalb County Police Department is getting new body cameras and they are eager to show them off to the public.

Utility Inc., which is based in Atlanta, makes the body cameras. They are about the size of a cellphone and slips into a bulletproof vest and worn outside the uniform.

Channel 2's Sophia Choi was at the facility on Ponce de Leon Avenue Wednesday as officers demonstrated the new cameras.

The board of commissioners awarded the nearly $738,000 contract to the local company for 600 body cameras to outfit every single uniformed officer in DeKalb County.

Interim CEO Lee May says this is an important step toward transparency.

"What do police body cameras do? It builds greater trust between the police and the public. You know, it builds greater transparency and accountability as well," May said.

The cameras turn on whenever it's triggered, like when an officer gets out of a patrol car, starts running, or gets close to someone.

It can also alert 911 when an officer is down.

Cox Media Group