St. Thomas Police to pilot body cams

Police officers in St. Thomas will soon be equipped with body-worn cameras as part of their daily uniform.

The decision was made by the St. Thomas Police Services Board Wednesday, a move that will begin with a pilot project.

"The St. Thomas Police Services Board supports building public trust, community support and enhancing officer safety and public safety," said Dave Warden, the police board chair.

"This is an example of our clear commitment to ensuring we have an accountable police service to those who they serve."

A firm date to start the pilot has not been announced.

The cost of the program will be determined when the service determines how many cameras they'll need, the digital storage requirements and how the videos will be managed.

"Body-worn cameras will undoubtedly assist with improving the high-quality public service expected of police officers and enhance police accountability while at the same time increasing public trust,"said St. Thomas Police Chief Chris Herridge in a statement.

"We have come so far in developing and strengthening relationships with our community, and in my opinion, body-worn cameras will only boost our ability to improve the overall well-being of St. Thomas."

The cameras will be provided by Axon, the public safety technology company that is the current supplier of the service's conducted energy devices that officers carry.