A program to equip deputies of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office with body-worn cameras now has a dedicated funding source, as the first moves for the program included the appointment of a chief deputy to oversee the implementation this month.
Sheriff’s commander Michael McCabe will begin his role as the administrative chief deputy for new sheriff John Horch this month. McCabe is a 29-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, having most recently served as the West Precinct day patrol commander.
McCabe’s new position was created following approval by the Clark County Council during a Dec. 6 meeting. At that meeting Horch, who was sheriff-elect at the time, mentioned the administrative chief position existed previously, but it was subject to budget cuts made during the Great Recession.
The main duty of the position is overseeing the implementation of the body camera program. In 2021, the county council approved the creation of the program. In the November general election voters approved a .1% sales tax for public safety funding, which will funnel money into it.
The body camera program has 12 full-time equivalent positions tied to it, Clark County Councilor Kathleen Otto said at the Dec. 6 meeting. Overall costs for the program are expected to be about $1.3 million this year, according to 2023 budget information.
The administrative chief position is estimated to cost about $162,000 based on the budget request.
Horch told the council at the meeting the position will allow the program to get its start quickly, which is something the community has pushed for.
“Every stakeholder that I’ve had discussions with regarding body-worn cameras are in favor of this, and getting this (program set up) as soon as possible,” Horch said.
When asked about focusing on existing vacancies in the sheriff’s office instead of creating a new position, Horch said those efforts are ongoing and look to be moving in the right direction.
“We see the pendulum coming back with employment,” Horch said.
He said the time needed for the implementation of the program is long enough to warrant the creation of the position. There needs to be a position with a primary focus on the body camera program given the liability the county has with handling the records it will generate, he said.
“We need somebody fully committed to be over this program,” Horch said.
Outside of the body camera program, the position will also handle legislative review and training requirements for the sheriff’s office, Horch said.
“The amount of legislative changes coming out every year are complicated and we need to stay on top of those,” Horch said.
The position will also be involved with the establishment of a regional law enforcement training academy in Clark County, Horch added.
This month the sheriff’s office, with McCabe at the lead, will continue research into companies to provide body cameras, McCabe stated in an email. The review ranges from cost estimates, evaluation of customer service and support from companies, as well as community input, he said.
“The size, scope and complexity of this program requires a number of subject matter experts to help ensure success,” McCabe said.
Implementation will involve other stakeholders like the county council, other county departments and regional law enforcement, as well as community representatives.
The sheriff’s office aims to begin testing the equipment in early spring, with the first set of cameras in place by the summer, McCabe said. He said it could take a year to 18 months to equip all of the deputies with cameras.
“We are in the early days of this project and timelines will change as we learn more about what is required to develop and implement a body worn camera program in Clark County,” McCabe said.
