Harris County Precinct 6 is testing out a new tool to fight crime.

It’s supposed to keep deputies safer and give them better records of what happens out in the field.

The video recording device is called VIDMIC.

It resembled a shoulder microphone only it records video, still pictures and audio.

Those images can then be downloaded onto laptops.

And because it sits on the constable’s shoulder, it goes wherever the deputy goes.

Deputies with Precinct 6 are the first to try out this state of the art technology.

Lt. Mark Timmers is among the constables testing the new tool.

On this call, he’s on his way to answer a call of a possible animal cruelty case.

But the call turns out to be a case of someone raising chickens.

That violates the city health code, so Lt. Timmers records what he finds on his new VidMic.

“I’ll already have video citations of what we saw [and] give it to the prosecutor and our evidence is right there,” he said.

Deputies will test out the devices for two months.

“Deputies using the device during this trial period are already seeing benefits,” said Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino.

“When individuals who are behaving belligerently learn they are being taped, their demeanor changes and this alone makes it worth having them,” he said.

Because the devices are mobile, Constable Trevino says it will allow him to increase foot and bike patrols.

He suspects this tool will help his deputies in more than one way.

“My gut feeling is that this can really defuse a situation that may be becoming violent or confrontational,” said Constable Trevino.

There are some legal questions that Constable Trevino is having the county attorney investigate.

If everything can be worked out and the test is successful, Trevino says he'll ask county commissioners for the money to purchase the devices.

The VICMIC costs $700 each.

Already, 120 police agencies across the United States are using it.