Austin police get new digital dash cams

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin Police Department will be getting some new digital patrol cameras, thanks to the Austin City Council and Austin taxpayers.

The new cameras will start showing up in patrol cars early next year.

APD Assistant Chief Patti Robinson said the cameras will automoatically start recording when the driver's door is open, when the light bar is activated and when an officer is involved in a wreck.

The officer will also have the ability to manually turn the cameras on and off. 

"There should be fewer incidents of not having recordings for whatever reason it is, and the transparency will shine through with this new system," said Senior Patrol Officer Ryan Huling.

Councilmember Sheryl Cole said the new cameras are just one step on a long ladder when it comes to rebuilding trust between APD and the Austin community.

"We needed to replace them for a long time, but the Sanders incident just highlights how much we needed to replace them," said Cole.

Senior Police Officer Leonardo Quintana shot and killed Nathaniel Sanders, 18, May 11, 2009 after Quintana said he saw Sanders reach for a gun, according to the police.

However, out of the three officers on scene, only one had their dash cam rolling . Quintana's camera did not capture the incident.

Council's vote Thursday secured $3.5 million in funding for the new cameras. APD said they will ask for the rest of the funding as the project progresses.