Houston to become largest city with body cameras for its police officers

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Mayor Sylvestor Turner said Thursday that Houston will become the largest city to deploy body cameras to all police officers.

Two-hundred Houston police officers received body cameras Thursday, and Chief Montalvo hopes 4,100 officers will have body cameras in the next 12-18 months.

The Houston Police Department started a pilot program in 2013 involving 100 officers with body cameras. Officers found the cameras to be useful in the field.

"We anticipate that the body-worn cameras are going to foster accountability from both sides of the lens," Chief Montalvo said, "and it's also going to help improve public trust."

Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson said she used $1 million from the criminal asset forfeiture fund to help pay for the cameras.

"Crooks bought your cameras," Anderson said.

Money for the rest of the body cameras is coming from grants and other funding sources, according to Chief Montalvo.