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Records manager: digitization progressing but body-worn video slows public-records turnaround
Summary
Julie Harris, records manager, told commissioners the office processed 2,549 public-disclosure requests in 2025, has moved many systems to digital platforms, but said redacting body-worn-camera footage substantially increases staff time.
Julie Harris, records manager, reported that the records office processed 2,549 public-disclosure requests in 2025 and that most requests had historically been completed within five days. She said the office has moved warrants and protection orders to fully digital records and is implementing a civil database that integrates with the department's Spillman/Flex records-management system to reduce paper and link digital evidence.
Harris explained that body-worn-camera footage has substantially increased redaction workload: she estimated about 15 minutes of staff time to redact each minute of video. That processing time, she said, is a primary constraint on public-disclosure turnaround for records that include video. Harris also described current counts of warrants entered, cleared cases and the office's retention and juvenile-destruction responsibilities under state RCW provisions.
Harris said the office aims to continue digitizing incident reporting and to allow deputies to enter evidence digitally in the future. Commissioners asked about timelines and legislative or court-driven deadlines; Harris said deadlines are a combination of state and court requirements and confirmed the department is working to comply with those timelines.
