Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 6
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All Commission Districts
A Resolution Calling Upon the State of Georgia To Mandate, Support, and Implement the Use of Body Cameras For All Responding Georgia State Patrol Troopers (GSP)
Body
Information Contact: Commissioner Edward C. “Ted” Terry
Phone Number: 404-371-4909
PURPOSE:
DeKalb County Law Enforcement agencies wear body-worn cameras when duties involve the outside public. They believe that body-worn cameras can provide an additional layer of transparency and accountability in the agency's activities, maintaining the public trust, underscoring best practices, and providing invaluable evidence in criminal investigations. The DeKalb County Board of Commission believes that the State of Georgia should mandate and provide the supports to implement the use of body-worn cameras to GSP Troopers throughout the state and/or while responding with assistance to DeKalb County calls.
NEED/IMPACT:
Police body-worn cameras are in use throughout many Law Enforcement jurisdictions in the United States and around the world.
In 2016, DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD) outfitted its entire uniform division with body cameras to enhance transparency, accountability and officer safety. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DKSO) also, in 2016, mandated that deputies wear the cameras and activate them during traffic stops or other times when they interact with the public. In 2019, the DeKalb County Marshal’s Office (DKMO) began fully implementing its body camera program after extensive research and field testing.
This resolution supports other Metro Law Enforcement agencies that believe that body cameras collect evidence for the prosecution of those who violate the law, provide protection to deputies and citizens, and provide a higher level of transparency and accountability to the public. It further encourages the State of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Public Safety to mandate and support the implementation and operation of body camera programs by the GSP, including the necessary technology, storage, and personnel resources.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No cost to DeKalb County
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Adopt the Resolution in a form acceptable to the County Attorney and authorize the Clerk of the Board of Commission to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Governor of Georgia, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and Director of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.