Santa Cruz Co. deputies try out new body cameras

Another law enforcement department is joining the growing list of officers with body cameras. Seven Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office deputies will start testing the cameras in the field on Friday.

“It feels fine. The position that it’s in you’re not going to even know that it’s there,” Deputy Jeff Simpson said.

This small camera on Simpson’s uniform could help him in the field and the people he interacts with during his shift. The sheriff’s office said it’s testing out the body cameras to see which one fits best for their department. Seven body cameras will be tested by deputies over the next two months.

“You go into these calls and a lot can go on. In split second time, and you always do your best to recollect on how everything went out,” Simpson said.

Simpson simply slides cover over to turn it on. The policy for when deputies will be required to turn them on is still a ways off.

Lt. Kelly Kent said the department has always tried to be progressive with technology. The Sheriff’s Office plans to choose carefully when it comes to which camera they buy.

“The cost always, functionality, you know as long as it doesn’t interfere with the uniforms and doesn’t make the deputy unsafe in his actions,” Kent said.

The Sheriff’s Office is looking for funding sources to purchase the cameras, which normally run well over $500 and that doesn’t include the operating cost of the software.

Simpson thinks you can’t put price tag on safety or trust.

“Protection for the public, protection for your department, and for an agency,” Simpson said.