City of Chicago announces expansion of police body-camera program
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chicago says it's expanding a program to provide police officers with body cameras.
The announcement Sunday from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office follows the release last week of a squad-car video showing an officer fatally shooting teenager Laquan McDonald. The officer wasn't wearing a body camera.
Chicago will expand the program into six more police districts in 2016. Emanuel says in a statement that the expansion into one-third of the city will "strengthen the fabric of trust" between officers and residents. The statement doesn't mention McDonald or demonstrations in recent days calling for police reforms.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chicago's pilot body-camera program began in January. Just 30 cameras are currently being tested. Sunday's statement says the expansion will be paid for with a $1.1 million federal grant and $1.1 million in matching city funds.