More body-worn cameras for cops

The Riverside County Sheriffs Department announced Thursday a federal grant that will help pay for a two-year expansion of its existing Body-Worn Camera program.

The Department of Justice awarded the county $577,900.00, the sheriff’s department said will provide approximately 1,000 camera units to deputies who serve in nine patrol stations that currently do not have this equipment.

The cameras program will be phased in over the two year period and involve uniformed patrol personnel working in all unincorporated areas, also for its contract law enforcement partners.

The sheriff’s department has been testing body-worn cameras for eight years.

Sheriff Stan Sniff says the presence of a camera positively alters potential confrontations between deputies and the public, and results in fewer personnel complaints.

The agency is also looking to expand the use of body-worn cameras to court and jailhouse operations.

The DOJ grant requires a 50% match of county funds.

That money will be used to expand existing video storage hardware, while also providing 250 of the 1,000 camera units.