LOVEJOY, Ga – Clayton County Schools started its third year Monday with all of its School Resource Officers (SROs) wearing body cameras.
Other metro districts are also looking to use the cameras as a safety measure, and have looked to Clayton County for advice.
Clayton County Schools started purchased the cameras when the system created its own police department in August 2013.
SROs in the district now consider the cameras an essential part of their uniform.
"Just in case you have a complaint and you can always go back to the video and the video never lies," said Jason Seda, SRO at Lovejoy High School. "I get a call on the radio. I get to the scene, I turn it on right away, once it's turned, on it is recording."
"An added eye. That's what we call it," said Major Debra Williams, a Clayton County Resource officer. "(With the camera on) someone's always looking. You always say 'be careful what you do, someone's always watching" and it's the body cameras."
The body cameras have been so successful in Clayton County, the district is on a second model. The current camera records audio, video and allows immediate playback.
The cameras help the officers better perform their jobs.
"Going back to my office when I'm doing my report, I can go by each and every step of when I got the call and ended the call," said Seda.
For students like Laureena Pintard, a junior, the cameras help them feel safe and officers believe they prevent bad behavior.
"Ninety percent (fewer problems with students) if they think they're being recorded, they think twice about doing something," said Seda.
The recordings have helped solve cases, such as a group fight.
"We were able to identify based on the video captured by this body camera," said Williams.
