Agenda - 12-05-2016 - 6-a - Minutes

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7 1 Association (RENA) center about community and police relations. He said as these 2 conversations continue this issue of body cameras keeps coming up. 3 Commissioner Dorosin said Carrboro was about to adopt a body camera policy, but a 4 state law was passed, which has not completely pre-empted the use of body cameras, but has 5 put some limitations on the use. 6 Commissioner Dorosin said the first step is to have a philosophical discussion about the 7 value of having body cameras as pertains to what takes place between law enforcement and 8 citizens. He said he would like to pursue the issue of wearing body cameras, and he is 9 interested in the Sheriff's opinion, and how the State law impacts this analysis. 10 Sheriff Blackwood said he is aware of what is going on in many communities, and, in 11 large part, the community that would benefit from increased trust is not the community that 12 causes the uproar when shootings occur. He said his philosophical approach to this topic is 13 based in Graham v. Conner, which happened in Charlotte, NC. He said this case guaranteed 14 that an officer will be judged by the "officer-on-the-scene" standard and not 20/20 hindsight, 15 with the reasonable objectiveness that the officer has to make split decisions where 16 circumstances are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving. He said this perspective evaporates 17 when a camera comes into play, as it allows for 20/20 hindsight. He said this discussion has 18 gone up and down with sheriffs all over the State. He said he does not have the answer to 19 what should be done. He said the legislation was poorly written, despite having been drafted by 20 two former members of law enforcement, but it is a starting point. He said if the shooting in 21 Charlotte had happened today the video would not be released, due to the new State law. He 22 said this is weighing heavy on him. He said in order to do this right the County should wait to 23 see the final legislation on body cams. He said the cost of the equipment is becoming more 24 affordable, but the cost for storage is huge. 25 Sheriff Blackwood said he wanted to do the right thing with body cameras, and the 26 purchase and use of them. 27 Chair McKee asked if the Sheriff's office has any equipment now. 28 Sheriff Blackwood said there are in-car video cameras, and if the Board funds one, then 29 it should fund both cameras. He said the two cameras do different jobs, and to get the best 30 footage both cameras must be present. 31 He said his department is blessed to be in Orange County, and they are one of the only 32 Departments in the State that has standards in place for their deputies. 33 Sheriff Blackwood said he is not ready to accept body cameras yet, but he will continue 34 to talk and work with the BOCC. 35 Chair McKee asked if the in-car cameras are forward or forward and rear looking, and if 36 the body cameras are on the vest. 37 Sheriff Blackwood said there are many configurations, and the body camera can be on 38 the eyepiece, which is the most optimal location for a body camera. He said the car cameras 39 are forward looking, but can also view someone being transported in the back of a vehicle. 40 Commissioner Burroughs said she wanted to know more about costs. 41 Sheriff Blackwood said the costs of the cameras are between $20 and $60 each, with 42 packaging including 5-year warranties and replacement cameras. He said 20 cameras would 43 be $44,588, and 60 cameras would be $134,660. 44 Sheriff Blackwood said unlimited cloud is very expensive, with a retention schedule from 45 30 days up to 20 years. He said the Sheriff Association is undecided as to whether the State 46 should be allowed to set standards regarding the issue of equipment. He said this is not done 47 with firearms, uniforms, cars, etc. 48 Sheriff Blackwood said the camera issue is a big one, and the legislation has to be re- 49 written. 50 Commissioner Burroughs asked if the retention timeframes are best practices only.