JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - More than a dozen Joplin police officers will begin wearing body cameras this week.
The Joplin Globe reports (http://bit.ly/1PLUD1E) reports the body cameras are aimed at boosting public confidence in law enforcement in the southwest Missouri city.
Assistant Chief Matt Stewart says 15 officers will be issued body cams to start, and the goal will be to equip all 70 to 80 uniformed officers with the devices.
He says Joplin police were interested in using body cameras well before a series of high-profile police shooting deaths, including the fatal shooting last year of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson.
Police Cpl. Joe Kowis says the cameras are a way for officers "to verify what we're doing."
Joplin officers will use the devices during various enforcement actions, including traffic stops.