Cleveland Cops Will Be Well Armed at the RNC, but Many Won't Be Wearing Body Cams

In preparation for the Republican National Convention in July, Cleveland police have been stocking up on apocalyptic tools like hand-held radiation detection units and mass casualty incident trailer supplies. But there’s one piece of equipment they don’t intend to be using much of: body cameras.

According to Cleveland.com, police officials told officers that many of them won’t be furnished with body cameras for the convention, citing inability to attach these cameras to the officers’ riot gear. Police sporting softer uniforms will be able to wear the cameras, but, these days, those don’t tend to be the ones who get into physical altercations with protestors.

Officials said that police will use alternative methods to record interactions between them and protestors, but didn’t go into details.

Cleveland.com reported yesterday that 200 beds are being kept open in Ohio’s Cuyahoga County jail in anticipation of the convention. The same article reported that the Cleveland Sheriff’s Department is seeking a five-year contract with Taser International for 100 body cameras worth $724,600. Perhaps the police department will also need updated armored outfits to match.