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DeLand, FL - Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies could be outfitted with body cameras as soon as next year.
A special committee recommended on Monday that VCSO go with Taser International’s body camera products following a recently completed 2-month long field test where a group of deputies who regularly patrol the northwest side of the county used Taser’s products as well as those from Digital Ally.
VCSO spokesman Gary Davidson says the next step is for the law enforcement agency to negotiate a deal with Taser, the same company that the Daytona Beach Police Department uses for its body cameras.
“Assuming contract negotiations go smoothly – and we have every expectation that they will – our goal is to have a purchase contract before the Volusia County Council for approval by the end of this month or early next month,” Davidson added.
VCSO is looking to purchase up to 180 body cameras and all the support software and hardware. Deputies who regularly work on the street will be given priority when the body cameras are handed out, according to Davidson.
“Following Council approval, we anticipate beginning to phase in the cameras approximately 2 [to] 3 months afterwards,” Davidson added. “Hopefully around March or April.”
No final price has been determined at this time, but Davidson did note that VCSO plans to use money seized during criminal activity to purchase the body cameras.
The cameras will not be recording every given moment of a deputy’s day, but VCSO plans to have the deputies use the cameras in all kinds of police-related activity, including in-progress crimes, arrests, traffic stops and accidents.
Deputies will also be required to turn on the cameras during use of force incidents and suspect pursuits.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.
