San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to get more body-worn cams

Sheriff’s deputies who work in San Bernardino County jails will soon be equipped with body-worn cameras, county officials said Wednesday.

The sheriff’s department and Rep. Young Kim, R-Chino Hills, announced she had secured the $1.5 million in federal funding for the new cameras last week.

“What these body-worn cameras do is provide evidence, whether it’s evidence to help convict the suspects or evidence for a crime scene,” San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a video announcing the new cameras. “And the other side of that is also the transparency for the public.”

A sheriff’s department statement said body-worn cameras have been a priority for the department that shows its “commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and public trust.”

The sheriff’s department started deploying body worn cameras in August 2023, county spokeswoman Gloria Huerta said in an email to the San Bernardino Press. Initially cameras went to patrol stations early this year, then a second phase of deployment to specialized divisions and resident posts began in July. Approximately 1000 body-worn cameras currently are in use by those divisions.

This latest round of funding enables completion of a third phase to equip corrections deputies with body-worn cameras, Huerta said. The $1.5 million secured by Kim will purchase 200 cameras and pay for installing infrastructure to support the new cams. The corrections roll-out is expected to complete by September 2025.

“Our law enforcement put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe,” Kim said in a statement. “I am proud to secure vital federal resources for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to purchase body camera and taser equipment, so law enforcement can better do their jobs and ensure deputies follow accountability practices. Protecting public safety will always be a top priority for me as your representative.”

Sheriff’s and county officials said Kim’s dedication to obtaining the funding for the cameras shows a shared commitment to advancing public safety and equipping deputies with the necessary tools to effectively perform their duties.

“Public safety, public trust, and providing law enforcement with the resources they need are among San Bernardino County’s highest priorities,” Board of Supervisors Chairman and 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said in a statement. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Kim for her support and advocacy.”

District 4 Supervisor Curt Hagman said in a statement, “This funding represents a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance public safety through advanced technology. Collaborating with Congresswoman Young Kim has enabled us to secure the essential resources needed to enhance officer safety and strengthen community trust. By equipping our deputies with these state-of-the-art body cameras, we’re setting a new standard for transparency and accountability in law enforcement.”

The funding was part of the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, a package of six federal spending bills for the current fiscal year that funds a wide range of local projects nationwide.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department describes itself as the law enforcement agency for the nation’s largest geographical county, serving more than 2.1 million residents via eight county stations and 14 stations in contract cities. The department has over 4,200 employees.