Board of Supervisors approves funding for Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies body-worn cameras
Los Angeles Police Department Officer Jim Stover demonstrates the use of a body camera during a training session at Mission Station on August 31, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the first year of funding towards the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's new body-worn camera program.
The board voted to transfer $25.5 million to the department in order to get the cameras implemented. The money will cover the first year of the program at five stations across the county starting as early as October.
“Body-worn cameras are an important tool for transparency and will give us a clearer understanding of the interactions between our deputies and members of the public,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “However, we need to recognize that body-worn cameras do not prevent violence or, in themselves, guarantee accountability. This move needs to be accompanied by real accountability, real reform, and real reflection.”
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Over the past four years, the board has set aside a total of $35 million to purchase body-worn cameras. On August 11, 2020, LASD finalized an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for enough cameras to equip 5,200 deputies and security officers with the devices over the next two years.
“To build trust between our law enforcement officers and community members, transparency is key,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “Allocating funds for body-worn cameras to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies is a critical step to rebuild relationships and accountability. Because of persistence from the Board of Supervisors and commitment of communities, 5,200 deputies and security officers will have access to these necessary devices.”
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The motion approved Tuesday authorizes $25.5 million (which includes $12.3 million in ongoing funding and $13.2 million in one-time funding) of the funding set aside to be given to the sheriff's department for the first year of the body-worn camera program.
The funding will allow the department to move forward with implementing the cameras in October starting with 5 stations: West Hollywood, Lancaster, Lakewood, Industry, and the Century Station.
The next phase will include ten additional stations beginning January 1, 2021.