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Lindon police officer Jake Simmons poses for a portrait of his new body camera on Jan. 29, 2015. The department issued the new cameras and the protocols that go along with them earlier this month. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald

Grant Hindsley, Daily Herald

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Lindon police officer Curtis Campbell keeps an eye on the road while listening to his speed radar on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Earlier in the month the department started using body cameras on each of their fifteen officers. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald

Grant Hindsley

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Lindon police officer Curtis Campbell checks his computer during a traffic stop on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Earlier in the month the department started using body cameras on each of their fifteen officers. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald

Grant Hindsley

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Lindon police officer Curtis Campbell walks back to his police car following a traffic stop on State St. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Earlier in the month the department started using body cameras on each of their fifteen officers. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald

Grant Hindsley

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Lindon police officer Curtis Campbell arranges the back of his police truck while on duty on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Earlier in the month the department started using body cameras on each of their fifteen officers. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald

Grant Hindsley

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LINDON – If you get pulled over by a police officer in Lindon, smile, because you will be on camera.

As of this month, all police officers in the city are wearing operating body cameras during traffic stops, arrests and other official calls.

With the push for body cameras for police officers throughout the country, Lindon Police Chief Cody Cullimore wanted his officers to have the cameras as an additional public-safety tool.

“Obviously, the recent public interest in equipping officers with cameras was a driving factor, and interestingly enough, all of my officers were eager to wear the cameras and to get them in service as quickly as possible,” Cullimore said.  

The city’s police department was able to purchase the 15 cameras through a State Justice Assistance grant. The department has been testing different camera systems since last summer.

Cullimore said the most important use of the cameras is to eliminate false claims of excessive force or rude and inappropriate conduct by officers.

“These are things which we hear all the time and are normally vindicated by in-car cameras and witnesses at the scene,” he said.

While the cameras will be recording during many situations, there are some in which privacy issues will prevent their use. According to Cullimore, medical calls, and contact with sexual assault victims and juveniles, are some examples where the cameras may be switched off.

Officers are currently receiving training in using the cameras. They have to get accustomed to activating the cameras and making sure they are positioned on the uniform and aimed to get the best viewpoint possible.

“Factors such as the officer’s normal stance during a face-to-face contact or traffic stop may need to be addressed or modified slightly, or the camera positioned differently to obtain the best view,” Cullimore said. “We will learn those things, but it will take a little time.”

Officer Ray Ormond has been using a body camera for a couple of weeks and said he has no problem wearing it.

“It is another tool that I have to help prove myself in court,” he said. “I know I will do the best job I am capable of doing. This is just a backup.”

Ormond said the camera attaches to the middle of an officer’s shirt. The cameras are worn from the beginning of a shift to the end, and officers set them to record with every traffic stop and other incidents.

According to Ormond, the cameras are easy to activate when needed.

While some people who have been stopped for traffic violations have noticed and mentioned the cameras, nobody has made negative comments about their use or protested being recorded, Ormond said.

“I am proud of my officers. They have high integrity and are very professional,” Cullimore said. “We welcome the opportunity to be as transparent as possible with the public.”