The Ada County Sheriff’s Office is now using on-body cameras to document deputies’ interactions with the public – making it the first law enforcement agency in Ada County to adopt the technology.
The cameras provide the ACSO with the very best information for investigations and training, Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney said.
“Why not collect as much information as we can to do our jobs better? This system allows us to do that,” Raney said. “In-car or “dashcam” video systems are outdated. Having cameras on our deputies will give us the most complete view of interactions between them and members of the community. We believe the public expects us to know exactly what is happening on the streets. Now we have that ability.”
Five deputies were outfitted with Taser Axon body cameras Friday. More deputies will be outfitted with the cameras over the next year, in groups of five. By the end of the rollout, 70 deputies will have the cameras.
Not all interaction with the public will be captured. Deputies will tape law enforcement activity like vehicle pursuits, traffic stops, investigative contacts, use of force situations, and crimes in progress.
Deputies will not tape interaction with crime victims or cooperative witnesses. This guideline generally does not apply to domestic violence cases.
They won’t tape interactions with confidential informants, undercover officers, victim witness coordinators, or prosecutors.
Deputies wear the camera on their uniforms. To start audio and video recording, they just push a button on the front. Tapping the button twice turns the camera and microphone off.
Deputies will download all videos recorded at the end of each shift. The videos are stored on servers maintained by Taser but are available to deputies and investigators over the internet.
All the video is secure, only accessible by members of the ACSO or Ada County Prosecutors.