WALDORF, Md. – Sheriff Troy D. Berry is pleased to announce the release of a program for body-worn cameras (BWC) for police officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
The Agency has been preparing for the BWC program and the funding has been fully authorized for implementation. “These devices not only protect the rights of citizens but also provide an unbiased record of our officers’ actions. We welcome the implementation of body-worn cameras as a tool that not only safeguards the public but also ensures the highest standards of professionalism among our law enforcement personnel,” said Sheriff Berry.
The Agency worked with a group of officers to test the functions, reliability, and viability of the cameras and ensure the infrastructure, technology, and staffing are in place for a successful deployment agency-wide.
During the initial phase of the program, the Agency established a policy committee that reviewed model policies from other successful BWC programs to develop a policy to ensure the Agency employs the best practices.
The Charles County Government approved additional support staff positions needed to handle the administrative side of this large-scale program, which the Agency is in the process of filling. Concurrently, the CCSO’s Information Technology Division undertook extensive training, including practical exercises to prepare to effectively manage the needs of this new technology as it is deployed into the field.
The Agency has also been working with various stakeholders and community groups for input and discussion about the BWC program. Further, the Agency has established a list of FAQs to answer the most asked questions relating to body-worn cameras. These FAQs will be published on the Charles County Sheriff’s Office website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Body-Worn Cameras
- When is the CCSO Body-Worn Camera Program going to start?
Deployment of body-worn cameras for CCSO officers began with a pilot program and the Agency expects all officers to be trained and have their new devices operational in 2025.
- Who will wear the body-worn cameras?
CCSO officers will be issued a body-worn camera, and the camera will generally be worn when working on an operational assignment.
- Will CCSO members receive training before using the body-worn camera?
Before being issued a body-worn camera, CCSO members will be required to complete training related to the operation of the device and review CCSO’s body-worn camera policy.
- When will CCSO officers wear the body-worn camera?
Body-worn cameras are generally worn on duty for the entirety of the officer’s shift as a part of their uniform.
- When must an officer activate their BWC?
Officers will manually activate BWCs at the outset of a call for service, during encounters with members of the public that are investigative or enforcement in nature, or during any encounter that becomes confrontational in nature. BWCs are automatically activated every time an officer turns on emergency equipment in a patrol car.
Officers will activate BWCs for legitimate law enforcement purposes only. The cameras record video from the 60 seconds before their activation. An officer who activates a BWC for a law enforcement purpose will not intentionally deactivate it without a clear investigative purpose.
When responding to K through 12 educational institutions, hospitals, or other medical facilities, officers will refrain from activating the camera unless necessary for law enforcement purposes. To the extent possible, officers will protect medical privacy.
- Will a person be made aware that they are being recorded?
CCSO officers are required to inform any person at the start of any recording that audio and video are being recorded by the officer’s body-worn camera, unless unsafe, impractical, or impossible to do so.
- Will members of the public be able to view body-worn camera recordings?
CCSO will release BWC footage consistent with the Maryland Public Information Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations and in consultation with the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office. Each video will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure a timely release without negatively impacting a criminal investigation or prosecution.
External requests for recordings, other than from law enforcement agencies, will be processed in accordance with CCSO’s Public Access to Records policy. Any third party that is not a law-enforcement agency will pay any costs associated with the preparation, review, and production of body-worn camera videos.
Requests for video records should be sent to the CCSO’s Records Section via the Agency website at https://ccso-md.nextrequest.com
- How long will BWC footage be retained?
The retention time for footage will vary depending on the type of incident or investigation of which it is a part.
- Will my private information be redacted before the release of BWC footage?
Yes, private information will be redacted before a video’s release in compliance with all records release laws and regulations.
- Can an officer delete recordings?
No, an officer cannot delete or alter recordings.
“As we move forward, we are committed to leveraging these tools responsibly, ensuring they become an integral part of our commitment to justice and the shared goal of fostering safer, more secure neighborhoods for all,” Sheriff Berry said.
