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Commissioners approve sheriff body-camera replacement; sheriff says public access requires court order
Summary
The board approved funding to replace sheriff's body and in-car cameras after staff said existing units are end-of-life and the new system offers live view and GPS; Sheriff Birkett noted public access to footage "requires court order from a judge."
The Durham County Board approved the consent-agenda item that funds a five-year body- and in-car-camera replacement program for the sheriff's office. Vincent Ritter, director of technology and emergency communications for the sheriff's office, told commissioners the initial camera set had reached end of life and that parts would no longer be available after Jan. 1, requiring replacement.
Ritter said the new five-year program includes mid-term replacement by the vendor and adds capabilities such as GPS tracking, license-plate readers and live-view monitoring to help position deputies. Sheriff Birkett described administrative access controls and stated that if a member of the public wishes to view camera footage, it "requires court order from a judge," reflecting the new law the sheriff said governs public access.
Commissioners asked whether the five-year plan covered current needs (Ritter confirmed it does for now) and about lifecycle timing; Ritter explained Motorola will replace cameras at year three under the contract to keep equipment on a four-year industry cycle. The motion to approve the consent item passed on a voice vote.
