Find out which El Paso Police officers are getting body cameras

El Paso Police officers are closer to having body cameras.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, the assistant police chief said some of the cameras have been tested and ready to go.

The EPPD DWI Task Force is getting 17 of the 34 cameras ready for use. The other 17 cameras are going to the EPPD Crisis Intervention Team.

The price tag for cameras, information storage and extended warranty is $136,000 – about $36,000 over budget.

Assistant Police Chief Patrick Maloney told ABC-7 the goal is for every police officer to have a camera.

Maloney told Council the police department has established when the officer is required to turn on their camera.

“Even if they’re eating lunch and a citizen walks up to them with a question, they’re gonna be required by policy to activate that camera,” said Assistant Police Chief Patrick Maloney, “There are situations when it wll automatically activate, such as when they turn on the overhead lights for the vehicle. The camera will automatically activate at that time.”

Maloney said body cameras can control the behavior of either the police officer, or the person being questioned by police.