Laurel Police Officers to Wear Video Cameras

Police in Laurel will soon start wearing small video cameras to record interactions with citizens and help resolve disputes over facts.

The cameras will be worn on an officer's sunglasses or other types of headgear. The Laurel police department plans to deploy 10 wearable cameras.

Police Chief Richard McLaughlin says the cameras are already used for training, and he wants to use them when officers execute search warrants or other operations.

David Rocah of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland says having proof of what happened in police interactions can be useful, both to protect officers and to protect citizens.

Laurel city spokesman Pete Piringer says the police video can't be edited.

Officers will be required to notify citizens when they are being recorded.