Body camera policy on county agenda

Staff report

The Curry County Commission is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. today at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library. Among the agenda items to be considered is discussion and requested action on developing a policy with future Implementation for body cameras for detention center staff.

In correspondence to county officials regarding the matter, Curry County Detention Center Administrator Mark Gallegos reported body cameras for all detention officers “would be very expensive and would impact our budget.”

According to Gallegos, the cost of equipping all staff on each shift that has an excess of 8 to 10 staff members would be $2,800. Officials said current protocol calls for shift lieutenants and shift sergeants to be equipped with body cameras, with the cameras to be deployed when an incident occurs or to establish a detainee’s threatening behavior.

Gallegos also cited other concerns with outfitting personnel across the board with cameras.

“Many facilities have experienced issues where video footage has made it to YouTube and or Facebook by detention officers,” he wrote. “We need to remember this device is a secured device that requires close supervision by leadership. This is why most facilities only have supervisors with body cameras.”

Other agenda items include:

• Proclamations congratulating the Clovis High School marching band and marking Dec. 4-10 as DWI Awareness Week.

• Discussion and requested action to amend a county resolution to come into compliance with New Fair Labor Standards.

• Discussion and requested action on a bid and sale of a pothole patching machine.

• Requested approval of general election canvass results, and issuance of certificates of nomination for the winning general election candidates.

• A governmental lease agreement for governmental liquor licenses.