LAUREL, Md. (WUSA9) -- After two years of using police body cameras, Laurel police are now reporting use of force by police is down 30 percent.
"It holds everybody to a higher standard," said Chief Richard McLaughlin.
The department has deployed 32 cameras at a cost of about $2,000 each.
Some citizens fear the cameras violate privacy and worry that police might be able to manipulate or edit video to use against suspects.
Others applaud the cameras.
"At least whatever happens we'll be able to confirm it," said Eniola Otuvando.
Results in Laurel mirror results in other cities that have adopted body cameras. In Rialto, California, use of force is down 59 percent and brutality complaints are down 88 percent.