CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook says nearly all deputies are now outfitted with body-worn cameras after the agency distributed about 100 additional devices Friday.
The new cameras add to the 50 the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received last year, pushing the department closer to full deployment.
Why it took years
Cook, who has been sheriff for nearly six years, said the rollout was delayed while the agency tackled staffing and technology issues first.
“Our deputies were making $38,000 a year, so once we hired them and trained them, they were leaving to go somewhere else,” Cook said. “That had to be fixed.”
Cook said the sheriff’s office also needed to modernize basic systems before adding a major new program.
“Four years ago, we were doing paper timesheets,” Cook said, describing a manual, chain-of-command process that required timesheets to be physically delivered to payroll.
Cost and phased approach
Cook also pointed to the cost of the program, saying the department wanted to implement it carefully.
“Twelve million dollars is a lot of money,” Cook said. “$6,000 per year per camera is a lotta money. My philosophy is I want to do it right, not fast.”
Body cams and the Oakleaf shooting investigation
Questions about body-worn cameras have intensified in recent months following the fatal deputy-involved shooting of Morris Davis in Oakleaf.
In that case, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is still investigating the shooting, and Davis’ family has questioned whether the shooting was necessary.
Cook acknowledged that body-camera video can add important information in high-profile incidents.
“Anytime you introduce camera footage, you’re adding another layer of evidence and perspective,” she said.
Cook said not every deputy had a body-worn camera at the time of the shooting.
“This is a tragic incident. It really is,” Cook said. “Do I wish everybody had body worn cameras at that point? Sure, yes, but we didn’t.”
What’s next
As is standard protocol for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Cook said the deputy who shot Davis remains on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
Hear more on the conversation with Cook in an extended interview below, including a short tour showing how the agency’s body-camera system works, how videos are downloaded, and who handles public records requests for footage.