These days, police dashboard video is all over the airwaves. From cop shows to daring rescues, we've all seen it. But, you might be surprised to hear the Eau Claire Police Department does not have dash cams in its squad cars. That will soon change.

Lieutenant Karl Fisher says the department considered the cams for years and watched as many smaller ones updated their cars. The thing is the Eau Claire Police Department has around 25 cars and the cams cost about $4000 each. But, Fisher says the cams could end up saving everyone money.

When a house exploded in Prescott, police dash cam caught it on tape; same thing with a bus fire on I-94. It's amazing video, but it's the day-to-day events of law enforcement where dash cams really come into play.

“It's going to videotape what happened. It's not just what the officer writes up in his report. It's documented. It's uncontested," says Fisher.

Lieutenant Fisher says dash cams are vital to record the events of high-speed chases, drunk driving arrests and even armed robberies like the one Tuesday afternoon.

"If our officers see a car like the one in the description and pulls over that car and the person wonders why the officer has his hand on his gun or tells him to put his hands up and then files a complaint, this will show our officer acted professionally," Fisher says.

Lieutenant Fisher says getting dash cams in the squads will save the department time and money buy keeping officers from getting tied up in court.

”If there's video tape I try to get it as quickly as possible," says Attorney Harry Hertel.

It's not just officers who are looking to stay out of the courtroom. Defense attorneys say dash cam video is just as useful to them, weather it helps prove their case or not.

"Anything which helps resolve and minimize stress on the system or the cost to the client is a good thing," says Hertel.

And they’re costs Fisher can't wait for his department to be able to cut.

"Video doesn't lie," he says.

Monday, the city council gave the police department permission to accept a $30,000 grant for the cameras. Lieutenant Fisher says that matches a grant the department received last year. He says officers probably won't get the cameras until next year after they pick a model and place an order.