SEDALIA, Mo. (AP) - A west-central Missouri sheriff's department that was criticized for not having body cameras after a deputy fatally shot a woman this summer is now equipped with the technology.
Pettis County Sheriff's deputies began using 23 body cameras last week, The Sedalia Democrat reported.
The Pettis County Commission purchased the cameras and accessories for about $43,000 after the disclosure that previous camera equipment for the sheriff's department had not worked for nearly three years.
That was revealed after a deputy shot and killed Hannah Fizer, 25, during a traffic stop in June in Sedalia and there was no body or dash camera footage of the confrontation.
The deputy who shot Fizer told investigators she said she had a gun and threatened to shoot him. Her family and friends have questioned that account and no gun was found in Fizer's car.
An investigation cleared the deputy of wrongdoing and he has returned to the force.
The department has submitted two grants that would add five in-car cameras if the grants are fully funded.