Police in New York are evaluating whether Google Glass eyewear could be used in investigating terrorists and preventing crime, a website reports.

The New York City Police Department's intelligence and analytics unit has received several pairs of the wearable high-tech, computer-equipped devices for testing, VentureBeat reported Wednesday.

"We signed up, got a few pairs of the Google glasses, and we're trying them out, seeing if they have any value in investigations, mostly for patrol purposes," a ranking New York City law enforcement official told the website.

"We're looking at them, you know, seeing how they work," he said.

The glasses are currently only available through Google's Glass Explorer program, which requires interested parties to first apply and then receive notification from Google on whether it accepts or denies their application.

Google was not working with law enforcement agencies on the project and the NYPD likely acquired the glasses through the Explorer program, a company spokesman said.

"The Google Glass Explorer program includes people from all walks of life, including doctors, firefighters and parents. Anyone can sign up to become a Glass Explorer, provided he or she is a U.S. resident and over the age of 18," the company said in a statement provided to VentureBeat.