Putnam Sheriff Requesting Body Cameras In 2021 Budget

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Putnam County Sheriff Robert L. Langley, Jr., will include body cameras in the department's 2021 budget request.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department hopes to implement Axon Body Cameras in 2021. Axon is recognized by law enforcement agencies as the leader in the industry providing the best equipment to capture every detail frame by frame.

"The Sheriff’s Department has been using cameras in all the patrol cars for more than 20 years," Langley said. "This has increased documented evidence to aid in prosecution as well as decrease frivolous complaints. The addition of body cameras will only enhance our Department and aid in documenting more evidence."

The purpose of body cameras is to:

• Keep communities and deputies safer
• Lessen litigation resulting in savings for county taxpayers
• Enhance public trust
• Improve quality of evidence
• Reduce in the number of false complaints
• Decrease use of force

"I ask the residents of Putnam County to contact their legislators and urge their support of this budget request which is a great addition to policing and safety in our community," Langley said.