Sheriff's Office

PR #:
2000161
Date Issued:
Dec 07, 2020 - 3:06PM

For Immediate Release

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam pulls request for redaction charge of Body Worn Camera footage

For media inquiries contact:
Sarah Johns
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office: 775-785-6235
Cell: 775-391-0407

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam today announced he has asked the Board of County Commissioners to not consider the proposal to implement a fee for the redaction process and furnishing of digital storage of Body Worn Camera footage at tomorrow’s Board meeting.

“I have heard the concerns of our community members since the Board of County Commissioners agenda was published,” said Sheriff Balaam. “The public’s worries have not fallen upon deaf ears. It is not the intent of my Office to reduce or deteriorate the transparency, trust and accountability the Sheriff’s Office has built with the community we serve,” Balaam added. “We realize our office may have situations that occur within our community that are of significant public interest.  We will strive to make these videos available to the community in a timely fashion – and offer the community the opportunity to review footage and help us improve where and how we can.”

Currently, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office offers members of the public the opportunity to view Body Worn Camera, In-Car Dash Camera, Washoe County Detention Facility video footage at no cost in a private video viewing room located at 911 Parr Boulevard. For individuals involved in an encounter or for members of the public involved in any incident, there is no charge to view Body Worn Camera, in-car or detention facility footage in the viewing room at 911 Parr Boulevard.

In an effort to improve accessibility to video footage of Officer Involved Shooting (OIS) or other major events, earlier this year, Sheriff Balaam instituted a new policy as it relates to these types of events. When there is video footage related to an OIS or major event, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office policy requires that said footage is released within 14 days of the event. In these types of events, once the Office has released the video footage, there would not be a charge for anyone requesting an additional copy of that Critical Incident Briefing because the footage would already be redacted.

“After hearing from members of our community this weekend, I am committing to working with members of the general public to meet the needs of everyone involved moving forward,” Balaam added. “I want to build on the transparency, trust and accountability we have built with our community and we apologize for not listening more closely earlier.”

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

###

YouTube-ICON.png   TWITTER-ICON.png   IG-ICON.png   FB-ICON.png