Safer Dallas Funds More Body Cameras, Pushes for DPD Training Center

Dallas police officers will soon have even more body cameras on the streets thanks to the private group Safer Dallas, and now there is a push for a new police training center.

The group works to raise money in support of the Dallas Police Department and handed over a $20,000 check that will buy 25 more body cameras for the department.

"They're out departments sugar daddies," jokes Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

While Brown appreciates the financial help getting more body cameras for his officers, he says that's not enough.

Brown wants to build a reality-based training center to help keep officers at the top of their game when they patrol the streets. So Safer Dallas is launching a $2 million fund-raising campaign for the center.

"It's really important that the officers are experiencing as close to reality as possible, that's what provides them the best training to go back out on the streets and operate in a safe manner," said Dallas Police Assistant Chief David Pughes.

In training, officers are put through situations they might encounter on the streets every day. Brown said it leads to officers making smarter decisions.

Even with technology, Brown says he knows the best way to work with the community is to be in the community, talking to the people.

"A white officer shot and killed a black suspect --  no protests, transparency, honesty, talked to the pastor of the family members of the suspect, he supports us, where else in this country does this happen?"

Brown said he knows the timing of the request for more for his officers is ideal, as more communities talk publicly about backing the men and women in blue.

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