LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – All Liberty County Sheriff's deputies and investigators will be equipped with body cameras by the start of 2016.
Sheriff Bobby Rader announced Monday that 53 body cameras will be introduced to the department after a year-long investigation into how to properly implement the cameras.
Sheriff's officials said all deputies and investigators will have cameras turned on during traffic stops and any call for service. Video from the cameras will be downloaded to a hard drive at the sheriff's office and kept for 90 days, unless it's needed longer, sheriff's officials said.
The total cost of the body cameras was more than $15,000, or about $295 per body camera. The cameras were purchased from the department's budget, official's said.
The department worked with Liberty County Precinct 2 Constable Les Hulsey, the district attorney's office and other law enforcement agencies to develop written guidelines for use and storage of the body cameras and video. The guidelines were approved in November, although Rader said changes could be made to the policy as "events and court decisions are made."
Rader said he hopes the body cameras "will help both the citizens and the Liberty County Sheriff's Office in documenting the facts of any case or activity that may come into question."
