ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) — Police in Maryland say a man has been charged with assault for using a slingshot to fire glass marbles at a speed camera van.

If city leaders want body cameras to become a standard part of the Spokane Police Department uniform, they’ll have to first work through what the city’s top cop says could be the key hindrance: Spokane police officers.

The Spokane Police Guild is using the city’s proposal as a key bargaining chip in their latest contract negotiations, which recently began, Interim Chief Scott Stephens told the city’s Public Safety Committee this week.

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Past coverage:

March 21: Law agencies see benefit of cameras

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with a shooting at a house party after Spokane County sheriff’s detectives used photos from a digital camera to identify witnesses.

 The alleged shooter, 16-year-old Tarique R. Jeske, was hiding in the trunk of a car when his sister, Meghan L. Jeske, 22, (pictured) and Francisco D. Mora, 23, attempted to flee detectives in the 15000 block of South Molter Road on Tuesday, according to a news release by sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan.

Detectives believe Tarique Jeske shot a 23-year-old man during a drunken dispute between the victim and Meghan Jeske at a party at 16016 S. Molter Road in Rockford early Sunday.

Read the rest of my story here.

For police agencies, cameras that record officer encounters with the public can help prove suspects are guilty and set the record straight if officers are wrongly accused of misconduct.

“It tells you the facts,” Post Falls police Capt. Pat Knight said. “It keeps us out of trouble.”

Over the years, law enforcement officials in Spokane County have largely dismissed cameras as not worth the cost. But as agencies deal with high-profile cases of alleged misconduct, the cameras are getting a new look.

Spokane police Ombudsman Tim Burns recommended in his annual report to City Council earlier this month that cameras be installed in police cars to provide definitive evidence in cases that otherwise would be mostly the officer’s word against the accuser’s.

Read Jonathan Brunt's full story here.