Deputies get new body-mounted cameras to keep public safe

COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — The Coweta County Sheriff's Office is among the first in the state to use new body-mounted cameras on the job.

Channel 2 Action News spoke to law enforcement officials about how they work and why deputies say the cameras will keep them, and the public, safer.

“The cameras will show you exactly what that officer is seeing themselves,” said Coweta County Sheriff Mike Yeager.

He said all of his deputies will now have body cameras while on duty.  They just started using them this weekend.

“In a courtroom especially with this, it’s going to put that judge and that jury right there at that scene with that officer,” Yeager said.

Until now, deputies have relied only on car-mounted cameras. Company representatives said it’s not only good for evidence, but for safety. The sheriff said they're another tool to help officers do their job and keep them accountable.

“If an officer did something wrong, it’s going to show the officer did something wrong. If the officer did everything right, it’s going to show that officer did everything right,” Yeager said.

The sheriff’s office used drug seizure money to pay for the body cameras, so taxpayers don’t have to foot the bill.

WSBTV