The Nicholls State University police department recently purchased eight new body cameras as a proactive measure of accountability for officers.

University Police Chief Craig Jaccuzzo began looking into purchasing body cameras for officers four years ago when the technology was still new, but had trouble procuring funds.

“We always had issues with funding, especially in my operating budget with the state cutting our funds, so I kept waiting for a model that fit what I wanted,” Jaccuzzo said.

The eight new Digital Alley body cameras are the same type of cameras as the in-car camera system University Police already uses. Dashboard cameras have a limited scope.

“We already had in-car camera systems where officers at traffic stops, the cameras start recording once the lights are put on,” Jaccuzzo said. “Those cameras are restricted to just a 50-foot view of in front of the vehicle. So if something took place and the officer was away from the camera, you can still hear audio but you can’t see what’s taking place. If a pursuit came, you’d have no idea what took place in that pursuit.”

Jaccuzzo said they almost never have complaints against officers, but these body cameras will be a tool to credit or discredit any allegations.

“It is a proactive measure of getting video documentary evidence of an engagement between an officer and a civilian, whether it’s a faculty staff or student,” Jaccuzzo said. “Body camera footage would have been helpful for us, especially when we have individuals making allegations or complaints about an officer.”

The officers will go through training over Thanksgiving break to familiarize themselves with the new technology and to become more comfortable wearing the cameras. They will begin wearing the cameras on Dec. 1.

“Our decision wasn’t based on what other agencies are doing. Our decision is based on what we think is the need to provide the best service on our campus community. If you follow anything with the media, this is something most lower agencies are going towards,” Jaccuzzo said.

There has been some controversy in the media about police body cameras, but Nicholls students seem to be content with the idea.

Freshman Jenna Theriot, an interdisciplinary studies major from Houma, said body cameras are a good idea.

“Because the way the media is portraying the police right now, it would be nice to have proof of what is actually happening. That way it’s not one person’s word against the other,” Theriot said.

Chelsea Thibodaux, a biology freshman from Houma, said body cameras would be another form of protection for police, especially since they are not very noticeable.

“My boyfriend got into a wreck and we had a police officer who had a body camera on him and we didn’t even notice until after he pointed it out,” Thibodaux said.