Yazoo County deputies will soon have body and patrol unit cameras to assist them with their work thanks to the recent purchase of equipment upgrades.
The Yazoo County Board of Supervisors recently purchased a $14,520 server that will complete the upgrades needed to install body and dash cameras within the sheriff’s department.
Terry Gann, chief deputy with the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department, said the cameras will be a vital addition to the department, particularly in assisting with documenting cases.
“I can tell you that one case would pay for this,” said Gann, to the county board. “In the long run, it is going to save us a lot of money.”
“I agree with Terry,” added Jay Barbour, board attorney. “We have had a couple of cases that would have never seen daylight if there had been footage.”
Footage from the cameras can be stored for as long as possible, which Gann said would help if claims later arrive in court.
“If you get a claim a year later, you want that video to still be there,” added Barbour.
Gann said the cameras are activated as soon as a deputy turns on his unit’s blue lights. And although he admits that the cameras can be turned off manually by the deputy, Gann said it is very easy to detect.
“You can tell if they turn them off manually,” Gann said. “If a deputy turns them off to avoid being caught doing something, you can tell. We will have something within our policy and procedures that will deter that from happening.”
