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6.D. -P 79 <br />�� a <br />�►als�� <br />4 <br />BODY CAMERAS—THE REEL TRUTH <br />Issue I Summary I Background I Discussion I Findings I Recommendations <br />Requests for Responses I Methodology I Bibliography I Appendixes I Responses <br />ISSUE <br />What is the status of local law enforcement's use of officer body -worn cameras? <br />SUMMARY <br />Recent officer -involved shootings around the country, including the 2014 shooting in Menlo <br />Park,' have focused public attention on the use of body -worn cameras by law enforcement <br />agencies. The 2015-2016 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury investigated the use of body -worn <br />cameras by local law enforcement and discovered the following: <br />• Sixteen independent police departments and the Sheriffs Office provide local law <br />enforcement in San Mateo County. The Grand Jury surveyed all of these agencies <br />regarding use of body -worn cameras. <br />• Five police departments are currently using body -worn cameras. <br />• The Grand Jury interviewed representatives from the Sheriffs Office and five of the <br />11 police departments not using body -worn cameras. All six of these agencies have <br />considered or are considering the use of body -worn cameras. <br />• Among those agencies that have not currently deployed body -worn cameras, the <br />Grand Jury discovered common concerns regarding the cost, policy development <br />(including civil rights concerns), impact of future camera technology, and unknown <br />future legal mandates. <br />• Each local law enforcement agency utilizing body -worn cameras weighed these concerns. <br />Some found innovative cost -reduction strategies and all developed policies and practices <br />for their use. <br />After reviewing the literature on the advantages and disadvantages of police use of body - <br />worn cameras and conducting over 25 interviews with local law enforcement commanders, <br />line officers, police union representatives, and other interested parties, the Grand Jury has <br />concluded that there are several excellent reasons for law enforcement to employ body -worn <br />cameras. The costs associated with the acquisition and operation of body -worn cameras have <br />decreased over the past several years, making this technology much more affordable. <br />Standardized policies for use have been developed by professional police organizations. <br />These guidelines have been modified and adopted by the local police departments using <br />body -worn cameras. These existing policies may well serve as templates for other local law <br />enforcement agencies. <br />1 CBS SF Bay Area, Menlo Park Police Shoot, Kill Armed Burglary Suspect; Officer Injured during Foot Chase, <br />November 11, 2014. http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/11/11/menlo-park-police-shoot-officer-injured-during- <br />foot-chase/. <br />2015-2016 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury <br />44 <br />