Sarasota Police Plan To Roll Out Body Cameras In 2021

SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota Police Department is planning to roll out body-worn cameras for all the officers in its patrol division in 2021, the department's chief announced on Tuesday.

In a news conference held at police headquarters, Chief Bernadette DiPino said the department's goal is to have cameras on all its patrol officers by July 2021.

The timeline, DiPino said, allows the department to purchase the cameras and ensure its policy is up to date with current laws and regulations that surround bodycams.

"Sometimes it may raise more questions than answers, but I still think it’s a modern, progressive way of doing policing," DiPino said about the program.

The chief said the department intends to purchase 122 bodycams for its 112 patrol officers and hire three additional people to help manage the program.

Enacting the program and purchasing the cameras is expected to cost the department $4 million over five years, she said.

AI’ve always been a proponent of body cams," DiPino said. "I started working on this within a year of being here. I’ve seen the benefits. I still think this is going to be a very positive piece of equipment for our officers."