Video: Webster Sheriff Body Cams

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EUPORA, Miss.(WCBI)–In response to the national debate over police use of excessive force, more and more police and sheriff’s departments are going to body cameras to protect both officers and the public. Webster County is the latest to add this technology.

When responding to calls, Webster County deputies now have a new tool…body cameras that are just like the video shot by your phone, computer or camera.

“If we go on a crime scene, it’s recording, it’s showing where everything is laid out. If we fool with a violator and get him in court, all we have to do is watch the video. It will help prosecute the case against the person that we arrest,” said Sheriff Tim Mitchell/Webster County.

A Department of Justice grant is paying for seven body cams to supplement cameras that were installed in some patrol cars a year ago. Sheriff Mitchell says these cameras attached to the chest of his deputies are long over due.

“It also, these cameras are water proof, they have night vision, they are very good cameras,” said Sheriff Tim Mitchell.

Policy and procedures are being written up for operating the body cams. Turning on the cameras when responding to a call is mandatory, and deputies failing to do so face disciplinary actions.

“And them cameras will stay on until you get through with the, if you happen to make a traffic stop, until that person has left the scene. You get back in your car, the camera is cut off,” said Sheriff Tim Mitchell.

The Webster County Sheriff Department also uses one of the body cameras as a dual purpose cam to monitor suspects being booked into the jail.