AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Austin this week began outfitting police officers with body cameras in an initial step toward having 500 officers wear them by this summer.

The Austin American-Statesman reports (http://atxne.ws/1RbXRIP ) a police memo shows a pilot program began Tuesday that will determine whether cameras provided by Taser International meet department requirements.

Taser is probably best known for the stun guns it manufactures.

City leaders last year approved $3 million to purchase cameras for the 500 officers. The aim is to have all uniformed patrol officers equipped with the cameras within three years. The Austin city website indicates the department has about 1,800 sworn officers.

Police officials say the cameras will first be used by officers who patrol downtown, where use-of-force incidents happen more frequently, particularly in the Sixth Street bar district.

 

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