LA County Sheriff's Dept. tests body-worn cameras

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (KABC) -- In a move aimed at protecting the public as well as authorities, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is testing out four types of body cameras as a part of a pilot program aimed at increasing transparency.

A total of 96 deputies at four different patrol stations will be equipped with body-worn cameras. The six-month pilot program was announced at a news conference at sheriff's headquarters Monday afternoon.

Some of the cameras clip onto shirts; others grip onto glasses. But no matter the design, body-worn cameras are fast becoming an essential part of law enforcement.

The department joins the growing list of law-enforcement agencies nationwide that are exploring or using body-worn cameras.

"The body-worn cameras is simply the next evolution of technology for law enforcement," said L.A. County Sheriff's Chief Bobby Denham. "It won't be long until all law-enforcement officers will have some type of recording device/body-worn camera system on them."

The sheriff's department will be evaluating camera systems from four different manufacturers. All of them come with their own set of pros and cons. Choosing the right camera for the department's needs is only part of the problem. The real issue will be storing all of the data that these cameras will collect on a daily basis.

"It is going to be a Herculean task in order to manage all of this data," said Denham. "So the policies are going to have to be put in place as well as the manpower it's going to take to manage this type of data."

The pilot program isn't costing the department any money because the equipment is on loan. But if the department were to equip all of its 3,000 patrol deputies with cameras, officials say the costs could top $1 million. Proponents say the cameras would likely save departments millions in lawsuits.

"This is an outstanding tool for us to use," said sheriff's Deputy Brian Langlais. "It not only brings transparency to the department, but also the fact that it helps us in aiding with evidentiary purposes for arresting people."

The pilot program is similar to one currently underway with the LAPD.