President Obama announced sweeping proposals this week to improve relations between law enforcement and communities of color in the wake of the police response to protests in Ferguson, Missouri.
Part of the president's plan includes $75 million to equip more police officers with body-mounted cameras.
Harlan Police started using body cameras in the field more than one year ago.
The idea was to put a stop to false complaints against officers.
'You know, 'I got tased 75 times' or just ridiculous amounts of complaints like that,' said Harlan Police Chief Mike Thomas.
Since they started using the cameras, Thomas says complaints have dropped to near zero.
Officers say the cameras also help to keep everyone they talk to on their best behavior.
'It keeps down, I've noticed, a lot of keeping down a lot of aggression, a lot of fighting, so we've been able to use words and have been able to use our actions to talk to people and it's been a help, it really has,' said officer Jeff Owens.
President Obama wants funding for 50,000 body cameras that would be used by police forces across the country.
'I think it's a no-brainer,' Thomas said. 'I think every officer should have one, because in the long run ... some may be skeptical, but I mean it's protecting us in the long run.'
If a picture is worth a thousand words, Thomas says the cameras are more than a worthwhile investment to make sure officers and members of the community interact safely.
The president's plan is part of a $263 million package to expand police training and add more resources for reforms.
The president is also using an executive order to standardize the way the federal government issues military-style equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies.
Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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