Monongahela’s police chief announced that officers may start to wear body cameras by the end of the month.

The new technology will affect multiple municipalities, as the Monongahela Police Department services Monongahela, New Eagle and Union Township.

Chief Kevin Harris addressed New Eagle council during a public meeting Tuesday, saying the department will begin installing cameras on uniforms this week.

“Starting (Wednesday), we’re going to have our body cam install started,” he said. “They’re going to be in the streets by the end of the month I hope.”

Harris added he plans to give public demonstrations of the cameras in coming weeks.

“For next council meeting, we’re going to bring a body cam up and show you how they work,” he said.

Because Mon City police vehicles don’t have dash-BODY CAMERAS • A2 FROM A1 board cameras, the technology will serve as the sole source of video footage for police affairs.

The cameras are about the size of a notepad and attach to the front of an officer’s uniform. Harris has previously stated they are lightweight and don’t encumber officers. The department received a $30,000 donation from EQT Corporation in August to purchase cameras for officers after the city reached out to EQT’s Supervisor of Government and Community Affairs.

EQT has previously donated $30,000 for a new police vehicle in Carroll Township and had supplied the Washington County Sheriff’s Department with a new ATV for Mingo Creek County Park. At the time, Harris said his department had been searching for body camera funding for more than three years, saying the camera footage makes prosecutions much more successful.

“Juries still trust officer testimony,” Harris said. “But when talking with the Washington County District Attorney’s office, they’ve found more success when prosecution can provide footage of an incident. In just about every case, juries want that information.”

Harris added that cameras will protect officers, citizens and will work to increase department transparency.