Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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The Broome County sheriff says the department's deputies appear to be comfortable utilizing newly-issued body cameras.

David Harder earlier this month announced the agency had acquired 35 cameras to record interactions between department personnel and the public.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Harder said deputies don't seem to mind wearing the cameras. He said some have requested and received permission to use the devices when they work at off-duty security jobs.

The sheriff said deputies can play back the video recordings to help make their written reports more accurate.

Harder said the video from the body cameras is downloaded when the devices are placed in a docking station by deputies at the end of a shift. The camera batteries also are charged when they are in the docking unit.

The sheriff said the body camera policy has been adjusted somewhat to be more specific about when the devices should be activated.

Harder said after the video recordings have been downloaded, they cannot be altered. He said the system also keeps track of who views recordings.

The sheriff's office chose Axon body cameras, which are marketed by TASER International of Arizona.

The initial cost of the cameras and associated equipment is about $50,000.

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