The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office has acquired 46 body cameras to help serve its deputies and citizens as legal body armor.

In the wake of national events bringing into question the interaction of suspects and law enforcement officers, agencies across the country have been incorporating body cameras into their budgets.

Chief Deputy Max Bartlett said it was no different in Cullman County.

“A lot of studies have been done by independent agencies,” he said. “Those studies show that complaints go down by 87 percent when cameras are used. Instances where officers use force also go down by 59 percent. I personally think this is one of the best tools we can have.”

The Axon Taser Body Cameras chosen by the sheriff’s office can record video for up to 12 hours and capture video at 30 frames-per-second.

The management of the video will be done through Evidence.com, which Bartlett said is a valuable asset to the judicial process.

“The footage will be stored remotely on Evidence.com,” he said. “The video cannot be altered, and officers cannot change or delete a video.”

All of the sheriff’s office patrol will use the body cameras, which will be typically mounted on their chests. Narcotics officers will also have the body cameras.

As of right now, the nine school resource officers at the sheriff’s office will not have body cameras.

The 46 cameras were purchased on a five-year contract, which costs the sheriff’s office roughly $34,000 a year.

“These cameras were furnished from the sheriff’s discretionary funds,” Bartlett said. “There is not cost to the taxpayer. Sheriff Rainey has always been proactive in searching for new tools for this office.”

Despite the cameras giving previously impossible access to officers’ privacy, Bartlett said everyone was on board.

“I think everyone sees the value of these cameras,” he said. “We may use them to critique and train officers, and we may do spot checks, but will not be actively searching for reasons to complain about officers.”

Bartlett called the cameras a “two-edged” sword.

“They will cut down on liability and lawsuits from false complaints,” he said. “But they will also document officers’ behavior. It gives our District Attorney, our office and jurors an opportunity to see what transpires. We’re glad to provide these to Cullman County citizens.”

In January, Sheriff-elect Matt Gentry will assume office. Though he may change policies at his discretion, he said he believes the incorporation of the cameras to be a step forward.

“I think any time you can use positive technology to protect officers and citizens it’s a good thing,” Gentry said. “I will continue with progressive technology in our law enforcement.”

Zach Winslett can be contacted at zwinslett@cullmantimes.com or (256) 734-2131, ext. 137.