Body cameras decrease complaints against Cleveland police

CLEVELAND (AP) — Complaints against Cleveland police officers have fallen since body cameras have been introduced, according to an official in charge of their implementation.

Larry Jones told the City Council’s Safety Committee that between January and September the department’s Office of Professional Standards received 225 complaints against officers, cleveland.com reported Wednesday. During the same period last year, the office received 374 complaints from citizens.

Cleveland police began using body cameras in February, and every front-line officer has been equipped with one since September, he said. Officials previously said both police officers and the public are more likely to behave appropriately when they know the interaction is being videotaped. Additionally, citizens are not as likely to file false complaints.

Deputy Chief Dornat Drummond said police use of force has dropped up to 60 percent, too, though he did not say if that drop happened after the cameras were issued.

The city bought 1,500 cameras in January for $2.4 million.