Title
Vote on a request to adopt Project Ordinance concerning body cameras for the Sheriff's Office. Approve the purchase of body cameras on GSA contract in the amount of $74,417.44 from Watchguard. Approve trade in of in car camera microphones.
Abstract
Action Requested: Vote on a request to adopt Project Ordinance concerning body cameras for the Sheriff's Office.
Introduction & Background: Currently the Chatham County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) is involved in use-of-force situations that are not all captured on video. Video documentation of the use of force allows the CCSO to review, document, and share with the public and other criminal justice partners. Patrol officers were involved in 58 documented use of force situations in 2015, 89 in 2014, 118 in 2013, and 102 in 2012. This gives an average over a four-year period of 92 use-of-force events. Each use of force event is an encounter that has the potential to escalate from simple hands on a suspect for arrest to using lethal force. The body camera will document use of force situations and will be instrumental in evaluating use-of-force situations. The captured video will be valuable in guiding policy updates, enforcing policy capturing evidence, and holding staff accountable in every use-of-force situation.
Approve trade in of twenty seven hi-fi in car camera microphones that will not be needed since body cameras and in car cameras work together. Watchguard will credit $4,800.00 for returned microphones toward invoice total of $79,401.00.
Discussion & Analysis: The Sheriff requests the purchase of a total of 147 cameras in FY 2018. Because the cameras must be replaced every three years, the County Manager recommends phasing in the purchase of body cameras with all patrol deputies to receive cameras in FY2018. The remainder of Sheriff sworn personnel will get cameras in FY 2019 and 20 cameras will be available in the detention center in FY 2020. The Sheriff requested a camera for all detention officers,...
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