Sheriff’s office says body cameras cut grievances; Horseheads board debates use for code officers

Chemung County Undersheriff Hooper spoke to the Town Board on June 24 about the sheriff’s office experience deploying body-worn cameras. Hooper said cameras are generally reviewed when complaints are filed, helped demonstrate some complaints were unfounded, and coincided with a dramatic drop in grievances in the county jail, which he reported as zero. He also said the sheriff’s department activates about 50 cameras daily across 172 employees, operates under a five-year contract with a vendor, and has an established policy and mandates for camera use.

Greg Larnard, speaking for the town code office, said his staff does not see a need for body cameras to be worn every day during code inspections and emphasized that code officers are not law enforcement. He suggested police should be requested for potentially unsafe inspections, expressed concern about the optics of inspectors wearing vests and cameras during ordinary building inspections, and proposed limited emergency or shared-camera use instead of daily wear.

Board members asked procedural questions — how and when recording would start and stop, whether officers must disclose recording (the transcript notes New York State law does not require disclosure), how complaints alleging overstrict or lenient enforcement would be reported, and whether cameras would produce more consistent treatment or protect the town against lawsuits. Members raised cost concerns and recommended drafting a policy before selecting equipment. The board concluded that more investigation is needed before deciding on body cameras for the code office.