New guidelines in New York allow the police to use hidden cameras when videotaping suspects.

The guidelines, announced Tuesday by New York’s prosecutors and police, call for videotaped interrogations of suspects using cameras that can be in open view or hidden. It’s up to each department.

Investigators are supposed to tell suspects about secret videotaping if they ask.

Most of New York’s 62 counties have started taping some felony interrogations. It’s considered a way to prevent convictions from false confessions and protect police against allegations of coercion.

New York City police plan to start pilot programs next year at precincts in the Bronx and Brooklyn.