The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is set to discuss a motion Tuesday that would give body cameras to Sheriff’s deputies, officials said.
The motion proposed by Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Hilda L. Solis for the Sept. 24 meeting would give Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies body cameras, according to the board’s agenda.
Body-worn cameras have become a widely used tool across the country to improve accountability and transparency of law enforcement, the motion reads.
Los Angeles County officials have been exploring adopting body-worn cameras since the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence recommended in 2012 that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department use cameras to address problematic use of force.
In 2015, the Office of the Inspector General echoed this recommendation, according to officials.
However, due to concerns around changing technology and projected cost, adoption stalled.
In response to the delays, in July 2018, the Civilian Oversight Commission approved a report recommending that the County move forward with implementing a body-worn camera program for all department deputies and their supervisors in accordance with a variety of recommended policies, according to the agenda.
The Civilian Oversight Commission noted, however, that the projected costs needed further vetting, and that policy decision would have a significant impact on the program.
If approved, the County has set aside $35 million for the body cameras, according to County documents.
The Civilian Oversight Commission, Office of the Inspector General and the International Association of Chiefs of Police have all noted that effective body-worn camera programs include careful consideration of these key elements: when sworn personnel are allowed to turn their equipment on or off; if and when sworn personnel should be allowed to review footage before writing their first report of an incident; what video footage will be released to the public and on what timeline; the use of facial recognition technology; and the consequences for violating or failing to comply with policy.
The vote is set to take place during the Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 24.
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Santa Clarita Sheriff’s don’t have to worry about recording anything. They don’t do anything.
The sheriff’s can’t do anything because U VOTED to decriminalize CA laws and take the power away from the police. I’m glad they will be wearing cameras. It will only show the truth about how bad things really are out there. No more idiot snowflake loser liberals playing victim. Funny how the stupid ACLU and other waste of time groups are now fighting to have the police not wear cameras. Somehow it’s racist, offensive and violates my clients civil rights. Funny how the truth hurts. Ohh but it’s OK to resist and shove a camera in an officers face. Keep up the good work SCV sheriffs. Without you this Awesome Town City would be 10x worse. Zombie Apocalypse is here ladies and gentlemen.
IF WE STICK TO THE LAW OF THE LAND AND WANT TO IMPACT ALL NONSENSE EFFORTS TO DISCOURAGE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS let’s do what is right and use the cameras as the tool they will serve.
PS I never have a problem being recorded but would if I was doing something WRONG
GOD BLESS OUR BRAVE PROTECTORS