Smile! Miami-Dade police deploying 1,000 body cameras

A body camera is worn by Miami-Dade Police Department PIO Marjorie Eloi, which 1,000 officers will begin using over the next few months, during a news conference, Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Doral, Fla. Police body cameras have become more popular following a number of controversial officer shootings around the country. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

Miami-Dade Police Department PIO Marjorie Eloi shows how to turn on and off a body camera, which 1,000 officers will begin using over the next few months, during a news conference, Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Doral, Fla. Police body cameras have become more popular following a number of controversial officer shootings around the country. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

Miami-Dade Police Department Director Juan Perez talks about the department's plan to outfit 1,000 of its officers with body cameras, shown in the foreground, during a news conference, Thursday, April 28, 2016, in Doral, Fla. Police body cameras have become more popular following a number of controversial officer shootings around the country. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

The largest police agency in Florida is outfitting 1,000 of its officers with body cameras over the next few months.

The Miami-Dade Police Department unveiled a $5.5 million plan Thursday to begin use of the pager-sized cameras beginning next week. Officials say it's the biggest body camera deployment in Florida and one of the most ambitious in the country.

Police body cameras have become popular following a number of controversial officer shootings around the country. Authorities say the cameras will record entire incidents from start to finish, will cut down on frivolous complaints against officers and also make police more accountable for their actions.

The Miami-Dade department's goal is to have the 1,000 cameras in the field by the end of September.