STRUTHERS — A new layer of transparency has been added to a local police department.

The Struthers Police Department went live with mandatory body cameras Friday.

Each of the department’s 16 full-time officers now wears the body cameras, as well as the two part-time officers.

Police Chief Tim Roddy said the move to body cameras has been considered and researched for a long time.

“We’ve been working toward this for years,” he said. “It was the right time to get it done.”

Over the two months or so leading up to the body cameras, Roddy began to get feedback from his officers and used the information to shape department protocol for the technology.

Roddy researched pricing and scheduled demonstrations, ultimately deciding on the one the department uses, which he said is cost-efficient and reliable.

The city budgeted $45,000 for the gear and software, which is backed up to a server. A grant is being sought to offset the cost, Roddy said.

Read more in Monday’s Vindicator.