The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is getting on board with body cameras.

The department just announced it will be outfitting all of its deputies. Sheriff Chris Nocco says his deputies have been asking him for a while to get them, however, the Ferguson case did speed up the process. 

The department has been testing out the cameras for over a month.

Deputy Kristina Perez said she has already noticed a difference.

“I’ve had a a couple of calls where behavior has changed from negative to positive because they know they are being recorded,” said deputy Perez. 

That’s the idea, the video can be used as evidence on both sides.

“A tool to protect us as law enforcement, a tool to protect our citizens, a tool to enhance the criminal justice system,” said Sheriff Chris Nocco. 

Studies show the cameras reduce violence on officers, drops the number of complaints against deputies, and helps victims of crime.

“We’ll be able to prosecute these cases much easier, the prosecution, the state attorneys office, will have greater evidence in these cases,” said Sheriff Nocco. 

In fact, in areas where the cameras are already used many cases don’t even make it to trial. “If used properly this is going to save tax payer dollars, this is going to alleviate an already overcrowded judicial system,” said Sheriff Nocco. 

The cameras will also be used for training, showing the agency ways it can improve. Something many deputies are on board with.

“This is evidence that all it can do is help with prosecutions, to me it’s a safety factor, I’m all for it,” said deputy Perez. 

The officers will not be able to touch the video after their day is over. They will plug in the camera, upload the video and it will be saved for 30 days unless it’s needed for a case. 

The cameras cost the department $400,000. It will issue over 400 cameras throughout the agency in February.