CHARLES CITY – The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office is getting a body camera for use by its deputies.
Today, Floyd County Sheriff Rick Lynch reported that his staff had applied for a private grant for 9 body cameras that cost $500 each.
“We should be getting one in about 1-2 weeks for a trial period to see if we like it plus I have two deputies looking at other departments policy/procedures regarding the use of body cameras,” Sheriff Lynch said.
The use of body cameras by law enforcement has become a hot topic nationwide in the wake of incidents involving citizens who have crossed paths with officers and physical contact has taken place, sometimes resulting in injury or death. Some say the cameras will hold both parties more accountable for their actions, while others feel the cameras are an invasion of privacy.
“Cops are human which means we are not perfect and we deal with people which can subject us to undue or justified claims,” Sheriff Lynch explained.
“I believe we should be held accountable and understand cameras can help do this, but mostly I believe a camera can protect the officer during the times where they need to make a critical decision or are accused of abuse,” Sheriff Lynch continued. “I believe it’s my duty to not just hold my Deputies accountable, but to protect them. I’m also not blind and know that there are some bad cops out there and I can see how a camera would protect ones individual rights. With the advancement in technology, the media and social media I see society expecting law enforcement to wear body cameras and to have interactions documented and here is an example; About 3 years ago the US Supreme court highly suggests (which means do it) that all interviews/interrogations need to be video and audio taped. As for teachers there are already a lot of cameras in most schools and I can see cameras being mounted in class rooms. Whether cameras are the right thing to do or not BIG BROTHER is coming.”
