The Saginaw Police Department is self-funding the purchase of 10 additional cameras after it was given 12 last year through a federal grant.

Police Chief Robert Ruth called the body cameras “one of the best things we have ever done.”

SAGINAW, Mich. — After a successful trial period last year, the Saginaw Police Department is ready to equip all of its city police officers with body cameras.

MLive reports that city council approved the purchase of 10 additional body cameras on Monday which will be added to the existing 12 that the police department already has.

Last year’s trial run, which started last summer, was so successful that the department is going to self-fund the $4,045.86 for the 10 cameras. The previous 12 were funded through a federal grant.

Police Chief Robert Ruth says the department has embraced the body cameras. “It gives accountability to the citizens and the police department,” he says.

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Ruth says the 12 cameras were not enough to cover every officer on every shift because of the need to recharge the cameras, according to the report.

The body cameras have already helped resolve citizen complaints and been used to provide evidence in criminal cases. However, Ruth says the officers cannot have the cameras on for their entire shift because of video storage limitations.

“They’ve been working out really well,” he said. “I think this is one of the best things we have ever done.”