In a pilot program, started in early April of this
year, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office officially implemented the use of
body-worn cameras. Two deputies from each patrol squad have been outfitted with a body camera, along with
every deputy in the Lexington Park COPs
Unit. That brings the total number of body-worn cameras to thirteen for the
agency. The funding for the cameras was secured mainly through the Department
of Justice.
The Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance Grant has supplied $17,127 for the cameras and has been endowed for two years. A secondary mountable camera with a unit price of $300, along with $960 for accessories, which include a USB offline device, and charging bay, brings the total expense to $17,680. The balance of $733 is being paid out of the Sheriff’s Office's operating expenses.
“Since 2011, the Sheriff’s Office has utilized an
in-car video system that has proven to be an effective policing tool, providing invaluable assistance in the
prosecution of cases. Further, we have been able to identify driving habits of
officers that have benefited from additional
training, along with customer service concerns that have been improved,” says Edward Captain Willenborg,
Criminal Investigations Division Commander. “The implementation of body-worn
cameras is the next logical step, and will only enhance our in-car video
program,” adds Sheriff Cameron.
The Sheriff’s Office selected the Arbitrator
body-worn camera made by Panasonic
because the in-car and body-worn cameras use the same software and share the
same database. This correlation makes for a smooth transition for deputies and
their supervisors. The deputy activates the camera upon response to any incident that is determined to be investigative or
enforcement in nature.
Senate Bill 486, signed by Governor Larry Hogan,
encourages all agencies to initiate a pilot program in Maryland. To assist in the implementation of such programs,
the legislation provides a model policy written by the Maryland Police and
Corrections Training Commission. The St. Mary's County Sheriff’s Office adopted
that model and adapted it to fit the
needs of the agency.
Sheriff Cameron says, "Before implementing the program, we
researched and developed our policy and training in conjunction with the law.”
The body-worn cameras will serve many purposes, with
the obvious being the collection of higher quality evidence in the prosecution
of criminal cases. Previously, deputies
were limited to what they could capture with the in-car video. Now, with the
utilization of high definition, wide-lens, in-color body-worn cameras, they
will be able to capture foot pursuits and
other encounters which were not previously recorded.
The body-worn cameras will also increase the agency's
ability to improve its service to the community, by using the footage to
provide scenario-based training to officers, and to identify other areas which may need improvement,
including communication, customer service, and police tactics.
Sheriff Cameron noted that while the body-worn
cameras serve as a conduit for transparency and openness with the community, he
is also aware of the criticisms. “Our goal is to try out the cameras, put them
to use and then thoroughly evaluate the technology and hardware, in addition to
soliciting feedback from the officers and the community.” He added, “We will
continue to move forward respectfully.”
As the program progresses, the Sheriff’s Office will
provide further information regarding the
body-worn camera program, in addition to seeking feedback from the community.
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The Sheriff’s Office
selected the Panasonic Arbitrator for their body-worn camera pilot program. The
program has been funded through the Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance Grant
through the Department of Justice.
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St. Mary’s County
Sheriff’s Office implements body-worn camera program, beginning in April of
this year.
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