(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Naperville Police Department is taking a significant step toward having all of its officers wear body cameras.
More than 20 Naperville Police officers in the patrol and investigations divisions on Tuesday began field-testing body-worn cameras.
This trial period is expected to last eight to 10 weeks. During the trial, cameras will be fully operational.
State law requires large law enforcement agencies like Naperville’s to use officer-worn body cameras by January 1, 2023.
Body-worn cameras have been pushed by Illinois policymakers in the wake of several high-profile police misconduct cases. Proponents say the cameras can protect both officers and civilians by providing objective evidence of an interaction.
The Naperville Police Department said body cam video will be used “in combination with other existing tools, like in-car cameras and formal incident reports.”
Naperville's population is about 147,000.
Related
