Sky.com - Police in Los Angeles are to be equipped with Tasers that automatically activate cameras on their uniforms when used.
The devices will help to create a visual record of an incident, and record other details such as date, time and duration of the firing, and whether the Taser's wires actually struck the suspect.
It comes after a series of confrontations across the country in which unarmed black men have been killed or seriously injured by police officers.
Ezell Ford was shot three times by two police officers during a scuffle in Los Angeles in August, for example, and an autopsy showed that one bullet hit him in the back.
The weapons will be linked via Bluetooth to body cameras on the police officers, activating them the moment Taser's safety switch is pressed.
Steve Tuttle, spokesman for supplier Taser International, said: "This technology gives a much better picture of what happens in the field."
Some 7,000 of the force's 10,000 officers will be fitted with cameras as part of the scheme.
Police chief Charlie Beck said: "The Los Angeles Police Department is committed to implementing safety measures to reduce the risk of injuries to both our officers and the members of our community, while improving trust within our communities.
"We plan to issue a body-worn camera and a Taser device to every officer. It is our goal to make these important tools available to every front line officer over the next few years."
The devices will help to create a visual record of an incident, and record other details such as date, time and duration of the firing, and whether the Taser's wires actually struck the suspect.
It comes after a series of confrontations across the country in which unarmed black men have been killed or seriously injured by police officers.
Ezell Ford was shot three times by two police officers during a scuffle in Los Angeles in August, for example, and an autopsy showed that one bullet hit him in the back.
The weapons will be linked via Bluetooth to body cameras on the police officers, activating them the moment Taser's safety switch is pressed.
Steve Tuttle, spokesman for supplier Taser International, said: "This technology gives a much better picture of what happens in the field."
Some 7,000 of the force's 10,000 officers will be fitted with cameras as part of the scheme.
Police chief Charlie Beck said: "The Los Angeles Police Department is committed to implementing safety measures to reduce the risk of injuries to both our officers and the members of our community, while improving trust within our communities.
"We plan to issue a body-worn camera and a Taser device to every officer. It is our goal to make these important tools available to every front line officer over the next few years."
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