Panel OKs contract for 300 patrol-car cameras
The Police Commission on Tuesday approved a $5.5-million contract with IBM Corp. to install digital cameras in 300 Los Angeles Police Department patrol cars.
The City Council and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also must agree to the three-year contract before it becomes official.
Authorities say it will take about four months to install the cameras in patrol cars in the South Bureau area.
The cameras record action both in front of the vehicle and in the back seat. They begin recording whenever the cruiser’s flashing lights are activated, the car’s shotgun is removed from its holder or the rear seat belt is clicked, among other “triggers,” said Cmdr. Kirk Albanese.
Microphones attached to the officer’s shirts also will record conversations and sounds.
The LAPD hopes to install cameras in all of the department’s 1,600 patrol cars within the next four years.
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