Stephens County Deputies Equipped With New Body Cameras

Stephens County Sheriff’s Office deputies are receiving a new piece of equipment.

Recently, the Sheriff’s Office issued all patrol deputies body cameras.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said deputies will use the equipment to record contacts between themselves and the public.

“It will be activated during all calls for service as well as contacts initiated by deputies, such as traffic stops and so forth,” said Shirley.

Shirley went on to say that using these cameras and having the digital recordings from them will provide multiple benefits to the county.

“The digital recordings will also aid in the prosecution of criminal cases by providing a perspective of what the deputy on the scene saw and the encounter they observed,” said Shirley. “They will also be used extensively if there is a complaint filed against a deputy. Occasionally, we have complaints filed and this will really be handy.”

Also, Shirley said that reviewing the recordings will give the Sheriff’s Office information about possible training needs.

The sheriff said the cameras are more cost-effective to the county than in-car video recording devices.

Shirley said the new body cameras could help save the county money in other ways as well.

“It could save the taxpayers of Stephens County from fraudulent litigation, which has the potential to be very costly,” said Shirley. “Putting this system in place is yet another step in providing the citizens of this county the most modern and professional law enforcement possible.”

The sheriff said that he is pleased that his office had money it was able to save to purchase the cameras.

He added he appreciates the support of the county commission in purchasing the body cameras for the deputies.

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