Clark County wraps up body camera project, records 57K+ pieces of video evidence
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has recorded more than 57,000 pieces of video evidence on its newly-deployed body and vehicle cameras.
Last week, the agency announced it had trained personnel to use 134 body-worn cameras, 133 Taser 10 systems and two vehicle camera systems within the first year of its contract with Axon Enterprises. The Sheriff’s Office also “outfitted 95 marked patrol vehicles” and installed new microphone and camera systems in three of its interview rooms.
CCSO first unveiled a 30-day trial in which three deputies and one sergeant field-tested the new technology in April 2023. Clark County Council unanimously approved the five-year contract with Axon Enterprises later that summer, prompting a select number of law enforcement to wear the cameras on duty starting in November.
The program is funded by the Public Safety Tax, which was approved by Clark County voters nearly two years ago. Their approval established a 1% increase in sales tax by one penny for every $10 spent.
In last week’s announcement, officials reported the program “stayed on time and came in under projected budget costs.”
Public Information Officer Sgt. Christopher Skidmore confirmed to KOIN 6 News that CCSO had established a budget of $910,569 for contract expenses in 2023. The agency ended up spending less than $766,000 by the end of the year.
The full five-year contract is expected to cost more than $5.1 million.
“A special thank you goes to the Clark County Council, the County Manager’s Office, the Clark County IT Department, the Clark County Budget Office, the Clark County Public Works Fleet Services Division, the Body-Worn Camera Project Team, and all those who worked hard to make this project happen,” CCSO said.
Since the deployment of the body cameras, the Sheriff’s Office has released two videos showing deputy-involved shootings. The incidents include a welfare check that led to the death of a 53-year-old Vancouver man and the deadly shooting of a suspected carjacker in the Salmon Creek area.