Mothers, fathers and others gathered Tuesday to share why they believe Jacksonville sheriff’s officers need body cameras.
Body cameras have been a topic of debate throughout the community and with a select number of JSO officers set to start wearing the cameras this year, some people have questions about the rollout.
On Tuesday evening, JSO held its third community meeting to talk about the cameras. Recent violence in Jacksonville has renewed the push by some for body cameras.
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Videos showing the violence and police response during a protest of U.S. airstrikes in Syria are why some people say police body cameras are needed in Jacksonville: to capture events when news cameras and cellphones aren’t there.
Action News Jax spoke with an officer about that right after the violence Friday.
“We want them as much as anybody else. They're a great tool in 2017. So the sooner the better for us cause all that does is put it everything ... Make everything clear,” JSO Lt. Jimmy Judge said Friday.
JSO is set to start a body camera pilot program this year.
“But our concern is any body cameras policy be based on certain civil rights principles,” one speaker said Tuesday night.
Body cams have been a big point of discussion following police involved shootings and last Friday's protest that turned violent in downtown Jacksonville. Tuesday some had questions about transparency and the policies JSO will have when it comes to body cams.
One speaker asked, “They have to document why the camera is off?"
JSO responded, “We’re going to put in our policy when you turn the camera off, you have to document why the camera is off.”
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JSO said it is reviewing other agencies’ policies but they don’t have a final policy in place yet and community input is what the town hall is for.
While body cameras may not capture everything, some say their limitations are better than not having them at all. Others say whatever happens, trust needs to be built between police and the community.
Recently, the city provided funding to improve the technology needed to support body cams. JSO said its pilot program should be good to go in June and at no cost to the city.
That's something some say is a step in the right direction to improving relations between police and members of the community.
“Make the footage available to promote accountability, transparency and trust,” one speaker said.
Following all the town halls, Sheriff Mike Williams will hold a wrap up meeting with the public. Here are the dates for the remaining body camera town hall meetings:
Monday, April 24, 2017, FSCJ Kent Campus, 3939 Roosevelt Blvd.
Large Auditorium F128 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday, May 11, 2017, FSCJ Downtown Campus, 101 W. State St.
Large Auditorium A106B 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday, May 18, 2017, FSCJ Deerwood Campus, 9911 Old Baymeadows Rd.
Room B1204 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm