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Released by: Sergeant Jayson Janes
Date: February 26, 2021
In November 2020 the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office began field testing body-worn and in-car camera systems. Two different brands of camera systems were tested for 60 days. Each deputy testing the camera systems utilized each brand of camera system for 30 days. The testing consisted of not only field use of each camera system, but the evaluation of software, data storage requirements, data storage cost, and customer service.
After receiving input from the testing deputies, Information Technologies (IT) department, and our automotive fleet manager the decision was made to outfit DCSO deputies and vehicles with the Safe Fleet - Coban camera systems.
The Sheriff’s Office plans on having body cameras issued to all patrol deputies starting the week of May 3, 2021. The Sheriff’s Office will also be outfitting patrol cars with the in-car camera system. Installing the cameras in patrol vehicles will be done in phases.
At this time our policy for the body and in-car camera systems is still being developed, but will be completed prior to May 3, 2021. This policy will be available to view on our website at sheriff.deschutes.org when it is finalized.
The Sheriff’s Office knows implementing the use of body-worn cameras is an important step in enhancing public trust and the transparency of our operations. We also know implementing the camera systems comes at a cost to the residents of Deschutes County. Based on the results of the testing, the Sheriff’s Office believes the decision to choose Safe Fleet - Coban allows the Sheriff’s Office to implement body-worn and in-car cameras systems in the most fiscally responsible manner.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is excited to implement the Safe Fleet - Coban camera systems which are also being used by the Oregon State Police, Los Angeles Police Department, Chicago Police Department, Seattle Police Department, Washington State Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 191 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.