By John Howell
Batesville police patrol officers are now wearing body cameras that record interactions with the public, Deputy Police Chief Don Province told city officials Tuesday.

“We do have our cameras; we’ve got them on our patrol guys now,” Province said during a request for approval of a standard operating procedure manual for the cameras’ use.

Province said that the policy had been adapted from a policy in use by the Brandon Police Department that had been vetted by the American Civil Liberties Union and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The request for the policy approval for the Batesville department came with the recommendation of Police Chief Tony Jones.

Aldermen during their April 7 meeting had unanimously approved the police department’s request to purchase 20 FirstVu HD system cameras for $19,195. The standard operating procedures policy was also approved.