Body cameras for all Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies will be discussed Monday by the Bartholomew County Council, the first time they have been considered since 2017.
Sheriff Matt Myers, who describes body cameras as a “non-negotiable priority” for the department, is expected to request a $284,238 additional appropriation this year to acquire the cameras, Bartholomew County Chief Deputy Auditor Dalene Pattingill said. During the next four years, approximately $127,000 would have to be spent annually, bringing the total cost to $792,238, Pattingill said.
Since Myers and his staff are still working on their proposal, Bartholomew County Auditor Pia O’Connor said she isn’t sure whether additional funds will be necessary for information technology support, as well as data storage.
However, that matter should be cleared up for the council on Monday by Myers and his staff, who are still working on their presentation, O’Connor said. The work session is not a formal meeting, so no votes or decisions can be made Monday by the council.
Although local public support for body cameras appears strong, county commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said plans must be carefully made regarding how the county will pay both immediate and ongoing costs.
“This is not a one-time purchase,” Kleinhenz said. “This is going to be a new, additional expense that will have to be worked into the ongoing public safety budget.”
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
