Closer look: Philadelphia police test body cameras

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- 30 Philadelphia police officers and one sergeant have volunteered to wear body cameras in the busy 22nd District.

They've actually been wearing them for a couple weeks now.

On Thursday, for the first time, we got a look at the cameras they are testing as part of this pilot program.

The program will run for the next six months.

"The bottom line is we are moving in this direction. This is a pilot, but I have every intention of expanding beyond just the 22nd district," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said.

The camera models range in price from about $300 up to a $1,000 and have varying features. They record internally and then the video gets downloaded and archived after each shift.

"We're still looking at different models. Some are more bulky, but for the most part it's easy to use," Officer Dominic Mathis said.

Other police departments in the area have been using cameras, including Evesham Township.

Earlier this month, Commissioner Ramsey was named to co-chair President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing which will provide recommendations for improving relations between police and the community.

The president proposed an investment of $75 million over three years to help police departments purchase the cameras.

"I think it shows trust and it shows the public what we're going through on a daily basis and the type of stressful environments we go into. They can see firsthand what we do," Officer Damien Stevenson said.

"It's a tool that's going to protect against frivolous lawsuits, it's going to protect against unnecessary complaints, and it's going to give the public protection also," Lt. Tom McLean said.

The officers tell everyone they interact with that they are recording.

In some circumstances, they will turn it off if asked. For example, if they're entering a home and the resident doesn't want them recording.

A huge amount of the cost of these cameras comes with storage fees.

It's all part of what police are trying to figure out over the next few months.