The Bakersfield Police gang unit will start wearing body cameras this summer under a year-long pilot program. The City Council voted last [wed] night to spend $18-thousand on the project, which Lt. Jeremy Blakemore says will make everyone more accountable. “The reality is that it’s a combination of both the officer and as well as the citizen involved in the incident.” The cameras also record audio, which BPD believes will cut down on citizen complaints and speed up investigations. Sixteen officers in the BPD gang unit will use the cameras starting July 1st.

Kelli Pierce/SuzG