Seattle police will soon have new uniforms and a pilot project on body cameras is about to begin.
The two-tone light and dark blue uniform will be replaced with a solid dark blue outfit, which will also bear an updated patch.
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole unveiled the new uniforms Wednesday as well as outlining the body camera project.
The mayor says body cameras will improve community policing and make neighborhoods safer.
"The Seattle Police Department has created a policy that strikes a good balance between privacy and the use of these cameras," Murray said. “This is not an attempt on those expressing their First Amendment rights, such as engaging in protest.”
The police department's East Precinct will train 12 officers in use of the cameras and field deployments will start next week. Police officials will use the trials to decide between two technologies, as well as refine public disclosure processes.
Police and the mayor's office say the cameras will help document arrests and support convictions when crimes have been committed. They will not be used where reasonable people can assume a right to privacy, unless there's suspicion a crime is being committed.
Officers will begin wearing their new uniforms in January.
