RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond Police Department was in the national spotlight on Wednesday as Chief Alfred Durham and Mayor Dwight Jones appeared live on CSPAN’s Washington Journal program to discuss policing in America.
“We just put a procurement in for 200 body cameras and I think it is long overdue,” Durham stated. “My officers are looking to embrace this technology because right now there is a fear that every time they go out there to do something they’re being second guessed about their actions, and that’s what we don’t want our officers to do.”
Durham says the mayor and city council have approved funding for the cameras.
The Richmond Police Department was chosen for the program because of its unique policing programs which include foot and bike patrols, youth academies and community walk-throughs.
Durham said those methods are leading to tips from the community, and that overall violent crime is down.
We’ll have more from today’s interview on 8 News at 5.
