Council approves grant that will pay for 35 police body cameras

El Paso City Council has approved a $110,000 grant that will allow the El Paso Police Department to buy 35 body cameras for its officers.

The grant was made possible by a partnership that includes the Andeavor Corporation, The Cardwell Foundation and The El Paso Community Foundation.

Police said the cameras will be used by officers in the DWI unit and the Crisis Intervention Team.

Police Chief Greg Allen hopes the cameras will help improve his department’s relationships with the community.

“The cameras have always been a positive thing that law enforcement has looked at across the country,” Allen said “The problem with law enforcement in various places is the lack of trust in some of the departments. So this helps the department gain that trust with the community.”

The grant will be presented to the City of El Paso next Tuesday.