New Equipment Approved For Officers In East Texas City

TYLER, Texas (AP) — An East Texas city has approved the purchase of 135 body cameras for its police officers. 

The Tyler Morning Telegraph reports (http://bit.ly/1wVIiPe ) the Tyler City Council on Wednesday approved the roughly $54,000 purchase. Authorities say the cameras should be in use by the beginning of next year.

Police Chief Gary Swindle says the department started testing the cameras in 2009 as a way to improve safety. He says both police and citizens tend to behave better when they're being filmed.

Tyler hasn't yet drafted policies for how the cameras will be used.