The Selma Police Department is moving into the 21st century with a purchase of new equipment, the VIDMICs.

These devices worn on an officer’s shoulder contain digital voice recorders and video recorders.

These VIDMICs provide evidence that officers can take into court.

Law enforcement departments using them report that many times at preliminary hearings after a suspect is arrested and shows up in court for the first time, charges are dropped after the defense views the video.

Other law enforcement agencies using the devices also report they document people on the scene.

For instance, in a Utah case officers used the recorders to document an arrest of a couple under the influence of drugs.

Several weeks later, the couple asked to file a complaint against the officers who arrested them.

They said the officers were rude and had used racial slurs while speaking to the couple.

Authorities showed the couple the video of the incident.

The officers acted professionally with no racial slurs and no rude behavior.

While anything may be abused in the proper hands, it’s good for the citizens and for police officers the department has these recorders.