Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton announced Tuesday the city’s police department is working toward equipping all sworn personnel and some civilian employees with body cameras. The move comes after summertime police protests in downtown Lexington.
The Urban County Council has given preliminary approval to a federal grant application that would assist the police department in purchasing more equipment. The mayor said, quote, “Body-worn cameras are essential. They are a tool every police officer needs. It’s expensive, but it’s money well spent.”
Police first began equipping officers assigned to enforcement function with body cams four years ago. Deployment increased and now there are 430 officers across different units with the video technology.
The Lexington police department has an authorized strength of 633 officers.?
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