Myrtle Beach-area police departments interested in equipping officers with body camera technology

At least three area police departments have been equipping officers with body cameras for the last year and more such cameras could be on the way for every Grand Strand officer if some South Carolina lawmakers have their way.

But how the cameras and their storage systems will be funded are the biggest questions officials have about the systems.

State senators Gerald Malloy and Marlon Kimpson pre-filed legislation on Wednesday that would require all law enforcement officers in the state to wear body cameras while they are on duty, though it didn’t have details on how to pay for them. House members are expected to file similar legislation later this month.

“History has demonstrated that eyewitnesses are not always the most reliable form of evidence,” Malloy said in a release. “It is time for South Carolina to invest in common sense technology. This investment is critical to preserving the integrity of our system of justice.”