Jacksonville police begin using body cameras

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - One Eastern Carolina city’s police department has officially started using body cameras.

Jacksonville police say the department bought 55 cameras for its patrol, K9 and criminal intelligence units to replace existing in-car cameras systems.

The body cameras have officially been in use as of Monday, according to JPD.

“The implementation of body cameras will allow us to more accurately capture our daily interactions to assist in training, transparency, and investigations,” Police Chief Jarad Phelps says. “The cameras will not drastically change the way we operate but are simply another tool that lends to best practices in policing.”

The department says it’s using Axon Body 4 cameras and staff has been trained on proper use of the cameras by Axon. All officers issued a body camera have received the training, according to JPD.