HYDE PARK — The University of Chicago Police Department will follow the Chicago Police Department and start issuing body cameras to officers in April.
The university announced this week that 20 officers would test out body cameras, and the entire 100-officer force would receive the cameras by fall.
In the announcement, the university said it had reviewed research on the cameras and determined the cameras help provide impartial evidence and documentation and can serve as tools for training and evaluation of officers.
“In addition to meeting a need that the public has identified, body-worn cameras aid officers in performing their duties,” university Chief of Police Fountain Walker said. “These cameras help promote professionalism and accountability among officers.”
The university said state law requires the cameras be turned on whenever an officer is responding to a call or performing law enforcement duties. The cameras can be turned off at the request of a victim or witness. Recordings will be saved for 90 days, unless they are flagged as part of an investigation.
The Chicago Police Department’s own body camera program recently was expanded to the Wentworth District, whose officers patrol much of the same area as the university police.
The U. of C. police patrol an area between 39th and 64th streets and Cottage Grove Avenue and Lake Michigan, excluding Jackson Park. University detectives and officers can go undercover and detain people, much as city police can.
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