Las Cruces Police Dept. Looks To Get Officers Body-Worn Cameras After Shooting

Accountability and transparency are what Las Cruces Police Chief Richard Williams said body-worn cameras would provide officers.

The search for new technology stems from a $100,000 lawsuit settlement.

As reported on ABC-7, 38-year-old Michael Molina was shot and killed outside his east Mesa home December 26, 2006.

The deadly shooting involved three Las Cruces Police Officers. More than three years after Molina?s death, the city settled a $100,000 wrongful death lawsuit with Molina?s family.

The settlement also requires LCPD to seek funding for audio recorders and video cameras inside all officer vehicles. But Williams said it is in the department?s best interest to additionally have portable cameras on an officer?s uniform.

“What the technologies will do is allow us to have that third-party unbiased look at it,? Williams said. ?Keeping in mind though, those technologies have limitations and the perspective may be shorter or smaller than what the entire picture is.”

Body-worn cameras have not yet been purchased because necessary funding from the Department of Justice is not as readily available as hoped, Williams said. And right now there is no timeline for when the money will be.

The extra set of eyes would add officer credibility when reviewing cases like Molina?s, Williams said.

There have been five deadly officer-involved shooting in Las Cruces in the past decade.