More Salinas police officers on patrol with body cameras

More police body cameras are now out on the streets of Salinas. That’s partly because more Salinas police officers are back on patrol, after the police chief restructured.

We first showed you the cameras when just a few officers put them on to train. Now Salinas police officers are putting body cameras on their uniform for the first time as part of their normal routine.

Monday was only day two for Officer Richard Lopez patrolling with the body camera. Lopez is one of 19 officers and four sergeants to go back on patrol after the department restructured and eliminated it’s special assignments and violence suppression unit.

“I think it’s a great tool for patrol or any officer that’s out on the streets contacting anyone in the public,” Lopez said.

NewsChannel 5 has talked with multiple police departments about the use of body cameras, who have said when officers interact with people, their behavior improves once they realize they’re being recorded. Lopez said it’s something the officers have to get used to as well.

“Like any new piece of equipment that anybody uses you have to get used to it you have to remember to turn it on first of all because it’s not an automatic recording,” Lopez said.

Officer Lopez said they can actually see what’s recording through their cell phones in real time. More than 70 Salinas police officers are now wearing body cameras.

“It’s a great piece of hardware that can help with evidence,” Lopez said.

Right now all recorded video is automatically saved in a database once officers drop off their cameras at the end of their shift. That unedited video can be accessed by the district attorneys office at anytime.

In May, Salinas established body camera guidelines officers have to follow, similar to other departments, only recording enforcement related contacts like traffic stops.