ST. LOUIS (KMOX) — As the city of St. Louis moves toward equipping police officers with body cameras, what will the price tag be for taxpayers?
Mayor Lyda Krewson's Director of Operations Todd Waelterman says it will cost $5 million a year to maintain the system, manage the data, and review footage.
Waelterman says even the prosecutor will need to watch videotapes related to criminal trials.
"How does a prosecutor handle this when they get it? And are they equipped, do they have equipment to view it and store it and keep it safe and all that? That's a whole 'nother hunk of money that we're going to have to look at that adds to this process," he said.
KMOX's Kevin Killeen asked, "When you look at all the ripples, how big is the splash?"
Waelterman responded, "I stick with this $5 million a year number."
The city is sending out requests for proposals to six body camera companies that have shown an interest. They hope to be field testing three systems later this year.