Body cameras will adorn 36 Minneapolis cops starting Nov. 7 as part of a pilot program to test their effectiveness. While this is just the pilot program, body cameras will become a department-wide tool in late 2015, according to an article published on Kare 11’s website.

In the same article, Betsey Hodges, Minneapolis mayor, said the cameras will enhance transparency and accountability within the police department.

Members of The Spectator Editorial Board unanimously agree body cameras are a good idea.

One member said they believe body cameras are a step in the right direction to increase police accountability. Body cameras will benefit officers on foot who don’t have access to the cameras traditionally mounted in patrol cars, the member said.

While the member said body cameras are a positive step, the member questioned how effective the cameras would be.

“We have seen this and nothing has happened with it; the police protect their own,” the member said.

Another member said body cameras will help officers answer the “what happened?” question. While body cameras are not the exact solution to excessive police force, this is a starting point, the member said.

Editorial Board members did have some concerns about body cameras. One member said because there are cameras on patrol cars, the cost of body cameras might not be justified.

Another member said they worry about cops destroying video footage or claiming the body camera was not on or was not working when footage is called upon.

“They are not going to release video of the cops in the wrong,” the member said.