Memories fade and observations differ, but video footage doesn’t lie.

That fact is exactly what led the National Football League to allow instant replay reviews of questionable plays.

If this is important enough for football, isn’t it important enough when lives are on the line?

We think it is, which is why we’re pleased to hear the Natchez Police Department is interested in obtaining body-worn mini cameras that would record officer interactions with members of the public.

Had such cameras been in use during a number of recent police officer shootings across the country, perhaps the outcomes may have been different.

Maybe the emotional reactions would have been lessened or at the least, perhaps clear evidence of what actually happened — rather than speculation — may have been brought to life.

In a few cases across the country when such cameras are in use, the footage has helped calm nerves in some situations and in others pinpoint police officers who crossed the line of good judgment.

Natchez is working on applying for a federal grant that would help pay for the cameras. If the grant funding its realized, great. If not, we still hope Natchez will pursue trying to obtain at least a few of the cameras for departmental use.

The difference the cameras could make would be far greater than whether or not the receiver’s foot was in bounds.