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The Greenville City Council voted to approve $4,004 for new body camera software, docking stations, and cameras for the Greenville Police Department during its meeting held Jan. 9.

The department upgraded its cameras to a newer version in 2022, according to Greenville Police Chief Justin Lovvorn.

“We’ve had body cams for a few years now,” he said.

Lovvorn said these cameras are a big help to law enforcement.

“The biggest help is when we get a complaint against an officer about the procedure done on a call,” Lovvorn said.

With the body cameras, the police can show the person with the complaint exactly what happened, even the parts they may have missed seeing.

“More often than not, these cameras help to exonerate the officers,” Lovvorn said. “It can show that the officer’s have done the right thing.”

Lovvorn said the cameras serve as a positive tool for the department and helps aid not only the officer, but the public as well.

“We encourage them to do the right thing, so they’re doing their job professionally,” Lovvorn said.

The body cameras also serve as an accountability measure to ensure procedures are followed to the letter.

“If they’re doing something they’re not supposed to be doing, then I can go over it and see if they did do something wrong,” Lovvorn said.

In other business, the council:

– Approved $3,955.14 for the Greenville Fire Department for its first responders benefit program and the Cancer Insurance for Firefighters policy.

– Voted to approve spending $7,250.35 for new basketball uniforms for the Greenville Parks and Recreation Department. The uniforms will be purchased from Deep South Apparel in Greenville.