Gladewater Police Purchase Body Cameras

Posted/updated on: September 14, 2015 at 11:28 am

GLADEWATER — The Gladewater Police Department has purchased body cameras for its officers in the wake of national police-involved shootings that spurred a movement toward using the devices. According to the Longview News-Journal, Gladewater police purchased the cameras earlier this month thanks to donations by Gladewater residents. A select few Longview police officers are testing camera brands as the department considers its options and discusses costs, spokeswoman Kristie Brian said.

In January, Brian indicated that the cost of outfitting each of the department’s about 150 officers with a camera would be a “huge expense.”

Other area departments that recently have implemented the use of body cameras are the White Oak Police Department and Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Gregg County Sheriff’s Office patrol officers also use body cameras. Kilgore police have been using using the body cameras for the past few years to assist school resource officers. Marshall police purchased 37 body cameras in December and January after receiving a grant from the Texas 911 Alliance.

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