The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office has turned on its body-worn and dashboard cameras about a year after first installing the devices.
Cameras were turned on in April after they were purchased by the sheriff’s office in early 2024, Sheriff Troy Morton said. Activation of the cameras was delayed because the cost of maintaining the footage was “grossly underestimated,” Morton said previously.
The 36 dashboard and 36 body cameras were bought for $243,000 from Motorola with funding from Penobscot County Commissioners. A $50,000 grant covered start-up costs, Morton said.
By activating body and dashboard cameras, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office joins other area police departments in recording police activities. The sheriff’s office started the process of procuring and installing cameras in 2022.
The total cost to purchase and install the cameras was expected to be around $500,000, Morton said in May 2024. The office needed a dedicated person to respond to requests for footage from lawyers and Freedom of Access Act requests, he said previously.
It’s unclear if a person was hired to perform those duties. Morton did not respond to follow up questions.
The cameras increase transparency and accountability, Morton said. Capturing interactions of deputies and the public helps with any behavioral investigations, he said.
Video footage also helps with gathering evidence and conducting investigations. Morton pointed to the recent arrests of two men who were allegedly firing gunshots at a Glenburn residence on Sunday. That footage allowed deputies to confirm descriptions of the suspects and what items the people were carrying.
“This information was crucial for ensuring the safety of both the public and deputies,” Morton said.
