The Missouri City Police Department has launched a 90-day pilot program that will equip some of its officers with body cameras during their shifts in the field.

The program is geared to test the effectiveness and efficiency of body cameras on police officers in an effort to offer a third perspective during interactions.

"It has been our experience that when citizens know they are being recorded, they tend to comply with an officer's lawful commands more frequently," Missouri City Police Chief Michael Berezin said. "It is comforting to an officer to have someone and something available to tell the truth about interactions with a citizen that may be considered controversial."

MCPD is testing five body camera vendors, such as Taser International, to fit the needs of each officer. Michael Curry, MCPD compliance supervisor, said the department is considering such factors as durability, battery life, ease of use and video quality to determine the best vendor candidate.

The program is also testing video storage and the maintenance of information from each camera.

"A body camera program is much more than just strapping a camera to every officer," Curry said. "It is imperative that we maintain the integrity of the information and provide timely access to the information when requested."

Berezin said a vendor will be chosen later in the year. Although the total cost and funding source of a department-wide program has not been determined, each camera could cost between $300 and $1,000.