SHERIFF LAUNCHES BODY CAMERA PILOT PROGRAM, INCLUDES EAST COUNTY LOCATIONS

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East County News Service

February 2, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Sheriff Bill Gore has announced that his department will launch a pilot program to test body cameras.  The test period starts Friday, February 5th.  It includes the Lakeside substation, Rancho San Diego station and Rural Command covering much of East County as well as the North Coastal and Vista stations, plus deputies assigned to the Hall of Justice.

The testing will use cameras provided by WatchGuard Video, TASER International and Vievu. Each company’s products will be tested for 30 days during a 90-day test period overall.

The Sheriff’s Department set up a committee that has been exploring the suitability and feasibility of body cameras for deputies since August 2014.  During the past 18 months, the committee met with other law enforcement agencies to discuss their experiences with body worn cameras.

Those agencies include the San Diego, Escondido, Chula Vista and Carlsbad Police Departments, as well as the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Mesa, Arizona Police Department. A Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board has also been consulted.

A Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board has also been consulted. The citizens board made several recommendations, notably asking that deputies not be allowed to review body camera videos before writing up their reports.


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