In an effort to improve productivity and provide more accountability of a patrol deputy’s work performance in the field, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio on Thursday announced the initial deployment of body cams to Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies in all patrol districts. The cameras are now in full operation.
Body cams are expected to be beneficial to deputies in a variety of ways, not the least of which is a projected uptick in productivity (number of arrests) and a decrease in the number of sustained complaints against deputies by persons stopped or arrested.
But the introduction of body cams may have adverse effects as well, Arpaio says. Recent published reports about police body cams have shown they can potentially negatively impact the number of arrests or traffic stops conducted by officers or deputies because they may be wary of being filmed. Arpaio is urging his deputies to avoid that kind of thinking.
“I am encouraging deputies to carry on business as usual,” Arpaio says. “We’ll be able to clearly determine the body cam impact by comparing the number of stops made last year which were nearly 32,000 to the number deputies make in 2016.”
Arpaio also says that while he was uncertain about the legitimacy of body cams at first, he now is quite sure this new technology will provide a true picture of the fine work being done by his deputies working in patrol every day.
“Body cams likely became necessary due to the erosion of the public trust.” Arpaio says. “People no longer seem to trust not only law enforcement but the media and politicians. It’s a shame that we put more trust in technology than in their fellow man.”
Arpaio also sounds the warning of trusting technology too much.
“What body cams show is only a portion of a larger picture. Before the media or public passes judgement of a deputy or suspect seen on body cam video, it is best to wait for the entire picture to emerge including video, audio, context and witness reports” said Chief Deputy Jerry Sheridan
The Sheriff’s body cams are a Taser International product. Training of all deputies has been completed and so far, few technological problems have been reported.
The cameras are clipped on to sunglasses worn by each deputy. They are turned on at the beginning of a public contact and off when complete. At the end of each shift the video is downloaded at the District substations.