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10 <br /> 2 <br /> 2. Discussion of Body-Worn Cameras <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> At the May 5, 2016 Board of Orange County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Mark <br /> Dorosin submitted a petition requesting that the Board discuss, with Orange County Sheriff <br /> Charles S. Blackwood, adopting a policy to institute the use of body-worn cameras by Deputies. <br /> Body-worn camera usage is a topic that has been in the national spotlight in recent years due to <br /> officer-involved shootings. Although believed to be a panacea for reducing distrust of law <br /> enforcement and incidents of unnecessary use of force, the use of body-worn cameras is <br /> surrounded by a number of outstanding questions. Unfortunately, little research exists to assist <br /> law enforcement leaders to decide whether to join a growing minority of agencies that are <br /> implementing use of body-worn cameras. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said this has become a critical issue in our society as of late, and <br /> there were some discussions about a year ago at the Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood <br /> Association (RENA) center about community and police relations. He said as these <br /> conversations continue this issue of body cameras keeps coming up. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said Carrboro was about to adopt a body camera policy, but a <br /> state law was passed, which has not completely pre-empted the use of body cameras, but has <br /> put some limitations on the use. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the first step is to have a philosophical discussion about the <br /> value of having body cameras as pertains to what takes place between law enforcement and <br /> citizens. He said he would like to pursue the issue of wearing body cameras, and he is <br /> interested in the Sheriff's opinion, and how the State law impacts this analysis. <br /> Sheriff Blackwood said he is aware of what is going on in many communities, and, in <br /> large part, the community that would benefit from increased trust is not the community that <br /> causes the uproar when shootings occur. He said his philosophical approach to this topic is <br /> based in Graham v. Conner, which happened in Charlotte, NC. He said this case guaranteed <br /> that an officer will be judged by the "officer-on-the-scene" standard and not 20/20 hindsight, <br /> with the reasonable objectiveness that the officer has to make split decisions where <br /> circumstances are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving. He said this perspective evaporates <br /> when a camera comes into play, as it allows for 20/20 hindsight. He said this discussion has <br /> gone up and down with sheriffs all over the State. He said he does not have the answer to <br /> what should be done. He said the legislation was poorly written, despite having been drafted by <br /> two former members of law enforcement, but it is a starting point. He said if the shooting in <br /> Charlotte had happened today the video would not be released, due to the new State law. He <br /> said this is weighing heavy on him. He said in order to do this right the County should wait to <br /> see the final legislation on body cams. He said the cost of the equipment is becoming more <br /> affordable, but the cost for storage is huge. <br /> Sheriff Blackwood said he wanted to do the right thing with body cameras, and the <br /> purchase and use of them. <br /> Chair McKee asked if the Sheriff's office has any equipment now. <br /> Sheriff Blackwood said there are in-car video cameras, and if the Board funds one, then <br /> it should fund both cameras. He said the two cameras do different jobs, and to get the best <br /> footage both cameras must be present. <br /> He said his department is blessed to be in Orange County, and they are one of the only <br /> Departments in the State that has standards in place for their deputies. <br />