By Lee Weyhrich
PINSON — The Pinson City Council on Thursday approved high-quality, wearable cameras for the city’s four sheriff’s deputies.
Wolfcom Enterprises will supply the cameras and equipment to the city for $2,236.
Councilman Joe Cochran had been lobbying for the body cameras.
“That way, whenever they’re involved in a stop, or an assist, or what have you, what they’re doing is being recorded,” Cochran said. “That protects them and also protects the citizen. Now, I don’t have a problem with any of our four guys, but it might keep some other type people honest.”
Cochran said the body cameras will allow deputies to have any needed video or audio while on the job. He said the small cameras — about the size of a lapel microphone — will be running any time there’s a traffic stop, investigation and more.
“I feel this will help protect the deputies from false accusations and gives the community a level of comfort knowing everything is recorded,” Cochran said.
Pinson contracts with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for deputies. Chief Deputy Randy Christian said Friday that the sheriff’s office had not yet heard from Pinson about the cameras.
“We will certainly give it proper consideration,” Christian said.
Christian said the sheriff’s office will need to approve the move as well.
“We look at it as an equal partnership where both entities must approve such a project for it to move forward,” he said.
Gary Lloyd contributed to this story.