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Mayor Gimenez Receives Support From NAACP

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez's plan to put a camera on every officer is being met with much support.

Gimenez is being heralded by Miami-Dade's branch of the  National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

"The NAACP is proud to support the effort to equip the Miami-Dade Police Department officers with body camera technology," said Adora Obi Nweze, President, NAACP Miami-Dade County Branch. "This initiative would help to protect our community members and police officers alike."

Miami-Dade Police Department Director J.D. Patterson supports the purchase of the latest technologies, which he feels will make the department more efficient and will enhance investigations.

Patterson also said the body cameras, "provide the Department with an ability to review incidents for officer safety and training."

According to our news partners The Miami Herald, Gimenez vowed to make the body cameras mandatory for all patrol officers in the county.

Gimenez has allocated $1 million for the initial purchases of the camera.

MDPD is currently developing a real time crime center and hopes to integrate the body cameras into the 911 center for live streaming during emergencies.

"We look forward to the day when our patrol officers are completely outfitted with the latest technologies, including body cameras," said Director Patterson.

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