The Greenville Police Department is arming its officers with body cameras as cities across the country are doing the same.

“We’ve reached the point in our country where everything has to be on video,” said Chief Lonzo Ingram. “If it’s not on video, it’s like it didn’t happen.”

The GPD has used dash cameras in the past, but has never gone as far as to outfit officers with body cameras. However recent events across the country, including a case in Selma in which a police officer shot and killed a man that was wielding a hatchet, prompted the department to make the change.

“(Body cameras) have become a part of the trade just like a patrol car, weapon and radio are,” Ingram said. “Having the cameras will help protect our officers and the public as well.”

The GPD purchased 17 body cameras for $14,661.28. The 17 cameras will outfit the entire patrol division.

The purchase was approved at Monday night’s city council meeting.

In other business, the city council approved the following expenditures:

• $1,084.90 to Middleton Oil for 475 gallons of diesel fuel for the landfill
• $13,700 to Southern Sand and Gravel for the demolition of three downtown buildings, debris removal and site leveling
• $8,000 to Southern Sand and Gravel for additional site prep and work at the Sherling Lake building
• $7,300.17 to Hurricane Electronics to replace the Greenville Police Department’s communication tower and equipment that was damaged by lightning (insurance will pay all but $1,000)
• $1,650 to Southern Red Rock for 24 tons of infield conditioner for the Greenville Parks and Recreation Department
• $2,199.50 to JES Restaurant Equipment for a commercial electric stove for Beeland Park
• $1,811.56 to ALDOT for traffic signal maintenance at Exit 130 and Mary Drive
• $4,138 to Azars Uniforms for the Greenville Fire Department’s annual uniform purchase

The Greenville City Council will hold its next meeting Aug. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.