Lyon County, Iowa, is funding the installation of in-vehicle cameras in its patrol cars with a $42,677 grant from the Riverboat Foundation, which distributes casino revenue.

The Sheriff’s Department has already added cameras to three of its 10 vehicles, and this grant allows the department to complete installations without using taxpaying funding.

The cameras have the capability to record events happening in front of the car and also monitor the interior of the car. They pick up audio through microphones deputies wear on their uniforms. The cameras can be activated by the emergency lights and sirens, or the deputies may manually activate them. They also activate automatically if they sense the patrol car is involved in a collision. All videos are wirelessly uploaded to the sheriff's department server when officers arrive at the office.