UPDATE: The Bakersfield Police Department implemented the departments body camera pilot program July 1.
This comes after Bakersfield City Council voted and approved a body camera pilot program last April. According to BPD, the program includes 20 cameras with hardware, software, storage redaction programs, DA access and 24-hour technical support.
BPD's impact team is testing Lenslock and Axon cameras, which will be worn by the Special Enforcement Unit.
Bakersfield City Council voted and approved a body camera pilot program for the Bakersfield Police Department Wednesday evening.
BPD recommended the program after completing an assessment on body-worn cameras for field deployment. The program will last for 12-months and be tested on 14 police officers and two sergeants in the Special Enforcement Unit.
Police officials said prior to the vote that the program would start in or around July of 2018.
The program will cost approximately $18,000 and will be covered by the Bakersfield Police Department.
BPD Police Chief Lyle Martin said previously that one of the concerns with implementing the body camera technology is finding ways to store and save all of the video.
According to BPD's administrative report, research shows the benefits of officers wearing body cameras outweigh any concerns.
