West Fargo Police to activate body camera program today

(West Fargo, ND) -- West Fargo is hoping to start their body worn camera program Tuesday. 

The West Fargo Police Department says they will be activating their body worn camera program Tueday if everything goes according to plan. The cameras would be manually activated when going into traffic stops and events, and automatically activated when a service weapon is drawn.

"If there is any complaints against the officers, it's going to show what the officers were doing, it's going to show what the public is doing. It's going to be used in evidentiary purposes as well, "said Police Chief Pete Nielson  It's just the norm in police work to be using a body worn camera."

The WatchGuard body cameras were tested by the department and purchased for approximately $137,000. A total of 85 cameras will be given to sworn in officers and community serivce officers.