Council members say that they have not turned down body camera request

Members of the Bartholomew County Council have begun to get questions from the public about the lack of body cameras for county sheriff’s deputies. But at their meeting this week, council members stressed that they are not the ones blocking the purchase.

At last week’s Solidarity Rally on the steps of Columbus City Hall Sheriff Matt Myers stressed the importance of the purchase of body cameras for deputies. Both for the safety of the officers and the public. And several speakers encouraged the public to address the issue with the County Commissioners and County Council, as a necessary tool to help fight racial injustice.

Councilman Jorge Morales said as he recalls the last presentation from the sheriff more than three years ago, the sheriff withdrew his request.

Council President Matt Miller agreed with Morales recollection.

Council members Evelyn Pence and Laura DeDomenic said that as they recall the sheriff withdrew his request in 2016.

Morales asked Miller to prepare a letter that could be sent to the concerned members of the public explaining that the council has not had a formal request from the sheriff. Councilman and former Sheriff Mark Gorbett said that the letter should state that the council would consider requests from any department heads for new equipment at budget time in August.

So far, the council has only received two inquiries, Morales said. Councilman Bill Lentz said that the council should keep in mind, and the public should know, that the council will make its decisions based on the county’s best financial interests.

In 2016, Sheriff Matt Myers had a proposal before the council for body cameras and new radios. According to our reporting from December 2016, the sheriff said that he was separating the cameras from the larger request with radios because of concerns over the quality of the video.

In April 2017, according to our reporting at the time, the sheriff brought the issue before the council again with a presentation at a council work session. Capt. Brandon Slate made the presentation then with the most attractive option, being the purchase of 35 Taser cameras and accessories. The total cost was estimated at $248,000.

Council members at the time indicated that the money for the cameras simply wasn’t there.

Myers said yesterday on social media that he is preparing a new presentation on the issue, and hopes to present it to the council soon.