Northwest

Suspect Getaway Caught on Hallandale Beach Police Officer's Body Camera

The Hallandale Beach Police Department is the first in Broward County to implement officer body cameras

NBC 6 received a firsthand look at what happens when an officer is on the job, thanks to the Hallandale Beach Police Department's body cameras.

A Hallandale Beach Police officer and his partner experienced some tense moments after a suspicious driver made a daring getaway.

The scene unfolded in the 700 block of Northwest 10th Court on the night of Jan. 11. The officers were responding to a call regarding a suspicious vehicle. The entire encounter was captured by the officer's body camera.

"At a certain point, the vehicle starts coming towards the officer and you can see how quickly he has to make a decision that can be very life threatening at that point," explained Major Pedro Abut with Hallandale Beach Police.

The body camera video shows the officer taking aim at the suspect, but never pulling the trigger.

"The officer at that point is in a very precarious position, where he is in a situation where his life is in danger and at that time, he chooses not to use force," Major Abut said.

At a time when officers around the country are being scrutinized for excessive force, the Hallandale Beach Police Department hopes to show transparency.

The department is the first in Broward County to implement body cameras for its officers. 28 cameras are currently in operation, with police accessing the camera as soon as they're dispatched.

With the pilot program already one month in, officials are hoping it will be a success.

"I think it will help and they'll capture incidents as they occur," Major Abut said.

The body cameras are used as a training tool and will provide evidence to further investigations and help solve crimes, like this case where the man in the suspicious vehicle got away.

Authorities later recovered the vehicle with a firearm and drugs inside, but the suspect had fled. If you have any information about this case, you're urged to contact police.

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