Springfield police begin using body cameras this week

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Springfield police will begin wearing body cameras this week.

Police Maj. Tad Peters said Monday officers will begin training on the cameras this week, and some will be issued by the middle of the week.

The department bought 241 cameras at a cost of more than $600,000.

The department will require officers to have the cameras on for nearly every interaction that is not a casual encounter, such as calls for service, arrests or use of force incidents.

Peters said the public and officers support using the cameras because they offer an unbiased record of any interaction that might raise questions.