The McAlester City Council has voted unanimously to approve new body cameras for the city's police force.
The McAlester News-Capital reports the council approved the purchase of the cameras Tuesday. The McAlester police plan to buy 39 new "compact wearable video systems," as well as a charging/docking station for a total cost of $31,000. One of the cameras will be given to the city's Criminal investigation Division, and the rest will go to patrol officers.
Police Chief Gary Wansick says that the use of body cameras is something that law enforcement is moving toward. He believes that they will allow the government to be transparent, and that the public to be able to see the entirety of a situation rather than small snippets.
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