On December 4, 2023, The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners – like so many other Washington State governmental bodies – approved a contract authorizing the Kitsap County Sheriff to purchase and deploy body-worn and in-vehicle cameras for all Kitsap County Sheriff’s Deputies. Deployment of the cameras and training with the new state-of-the-art cameras is set to begin in early 2024. Getting to this point was a collaborative effort with the sheriff’s office and Kitsap County commissioners. In terms of transparency in policing, this is a significant step for Kitsap County. It allows the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office to make a significant technological step forward for evidence collection and documentation.
The contract is with a technology company named Axon. The contract with Axon will equip each commissioned Kitsap County deputy with a body-worn camera and outfit all vehicles used for patrol with a camera that focuses on both the forward view of the vehicle and the rear seat. The contract also allows the Sheriff’s Office to purchase the latest camera system that provides high-quality video and audio. The system is designed for the body-worn cameras and vehicle cameras to work in tandem and along with the patrol vehicle. The system also includes the latest technology in downloading the digital files the cameras create and includes software for searching and redacting video and audio files. Many other Washington agencies use Axon products and all seem to be very helpful in ensuring there is transparency in policing. This is indeed a very positive step for Kitsap County and its sheriff’s office.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
