Thanks to TASER, Cleveland police officers wearing riot gear during the Republication National Convention next month will be able to wear body cameras.
After the city stated that it did not have the proper equipment to attach the officers' Axon body cameras to the riot gear purchased for the convention, TASER stepped in to help, according to The Plain Dealer.
The company's offer to loan 300 mounting units to the police department was not solicited by the city.
Police officials previously said that the department planned to deploy a "video unit" to record interactions between their officers and the public. The American Civil Liberties Union questioned whether the plan went far enough.
The four-day convention begins July 18, and is expected not only to draw tens of thousands of delegates, dignitaries, and reporters, but protesters as well.
Cleveland Police Union President Steve Loomis lauded TASER for stepping up.
"The body cameras will serve to protect our officers from false allegations as well as serve as a deterrent to anyone seeking great chaos during an otherwise peaceful event," he said.
The city is set to to bring in thousands of police officers from departments across the country to help with security. Cleveland Police Spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said that whether those officers will be equipped with body cameras will be up to their departments.
