The Winston-Salem Bike Patrol used body cameras long before recent headlines of police brutality in Ferguson, Mo., and Charleston, S.C., raised awareness of their existence.
The cameras are used daily by all city police officers to “protect [officers] and protect the citizenry,” according to Sgt. K.S. Bowers of the Downtown Bike Patrol. He also said. that the cameras were implemented to increase accountability in interactions between civilians and police officers.
The cameras are currently used by all 12 members of the Downtown Bike Patrol in two separate squads. Each officer uses two cameras, and they are also used by motorcycle traffic enforcement officers and high school police officers in the Winston-Salem area, according to Bowers.