Sheriff's Office wants new body cameras

MEDINA — The Medina County Sheriff's Office is ready to order a new body camera system for its entire force. The sheriff's office said it has two options: lease the equipment for five years for $350,000 or buy it outright for $300,000. The plan is to go with the latter option, Sheriff Terry Grice said in a presentation to Medina County commissioners Tuesday. Grice said the office will go with Watchguard, headquartered in Allen, Texas, as its service provider. The WatchGuard system, which consists of body cameras, in-car cameras and an evidence library, features sophisticated recording and syncing technology that ensures every situation is captured. "When deputies come back to the station, everything is automatically downloaded to the system," Grice said. "We have that data. It's on the server when we need it. I don't want to get on a soapbox, but society wants that footage." While on patrol, the cameras will start recording when the lights and sirens are activated. Grice said as soon as the devices are docked, they begin to download to the server. "It comes with software to do redactions," Grice said. "The software is specific for this." Grice said the sheriff's office has the money in its budget to make the purchase. He wants to order 30 cameras for vehicles and about 75 body cameras for deputies, correction officers at Medina County Jail, detectives and the Medina County Drug Task Force. The corrections officers will get 26 to wear for protection — of themselves and inmates. Thirteen will go to those on shift and 13 for the next shift that comes in. He said the body cameras currently in use throughout the department were purchased in 2013. There have been some recalls for the products and regular maintenance is required. The Watchguard system will be an upgrade to the current technology, Grice said. Many of the county's law enforcement agencies, including Wadsworth, Medina and Montville police departments already are using WatchGuard. Grice said he's going through a state bid, which will save some money. He's offered it to other police departments in the county that aren't using it, as well the Westfield Center police. He said WatchGuard has been purchased by Motorola. "It's a very robust company," Grice said. Also, the sheriff said he plans on using the $100,000 he received in the state capital budget to enhance and secure the office's lobby. Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.