Woods Cross Police Department tests out gun-mounted cameras
WOODS CROSS, Utah (KUTV) — The Woods Cross Police Department is testing out a tool that could be a game-changer when it comes to transparency.
It’s a gun-mounted camera and, right now, only the chief has one, but another is on the way for a patrol officer on the force.
The hope is that they’ll eventually roll out the tool for all 16 patrol officers. Currently, they all wear a body camera — something that wouldn't go away with the addition of gun-mounted cameras.
The addition of gun-mounted cameras would be an added level of security — for both the police and the public — if the city council signs off on them.
That brings us to cost. The gun-mounted cameras are about $525 each. They include the tactical light and holster — which officers purchase anyway. The lights alone that officers pay for are between $250 and $400, so the new tech is in line with what is already being spent.
A bonus with the gun-mounted cameras is that they automatically turn on when they’re removed from the holster, as opposed to the body-worn ones that generally have to be switched on manually.
Another advantage is that data storage costs are low, as the cameras generally aren’t recording. That’s one of the major downsides to the body cameras, which are often rolling for much longer periods.
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