Kauai officers wearing body cameras as union dispute lingers

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) - Kauai police officers are the first in the state wearing body cameras as a dispute lingers over whether the union should have gotten final say on the policy.

The Garden Island reports the Kauai Police Department's 90 patrol units started wearing cameras on patrol Wednesday, after months of negotiating between the department and the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers.

Union president Tenari Maafala says the group should have final say on policies that could impact officer discipline.

Chief Darryl Perry says the union blocked and delayed the implementation of the cameras.

County spokeswoman Sarah Blane said last week that it is still possible for the union to file a labor board complaint. Maafala said the complaint is standard practice.

The complaint won't impact camera use.