Georgia Parole Review | Page 9

Currently, the body camera program is in early stages of implementation. The equipment and data are being field tested and analyzed. Four certified and experienced parole officers have been selected to participate in the pilot program with plans to incrementally increase that number beginning in the near future.

When Specialized Parole Officer Shannon Foster was asked how he felt about the idea of a body camera becoming as much a part of his uniform as his taser and firearm, Foster said, “I embrace this change. I believe that the body cameras will help officers as a whole.”

As with any major shift in an organization’s operational practices, this advancement is not without its own set of challenges. One such challenge arises out of the shear volume of recorded video data that will need to be securely stored. With roughly three-hundred sworn parole officers conducting and recording field visits at any given moment; managing, securing and storing that data can be a substantial undertaking.

“We are currently exploring several "Cloud" options for storage of the videos. The factors we are considering are cost and security. The desired end state is the ability to inexpensively store a large volume of video with encryption appropriated to the content,” said IT Director Phil Sellers.

In spite of this challenge, progress continues to be made with the implementation of the body camera program and the response from Georgia’s parole officers has been overwhelmingly positive.

"I'm extremely proud of our team for embracing the utilization of body cameras. They are true professionals who continually strive to seek ways to become even more effective and efficient in the services they provide to Georgia communities,” said Nail.

Click on the picture below to watch the FOX 5 Atlanta story regarding the agency's body camera pilot.

"I'm extremely proud of our team for embracing the utilization of body cameras. They are true professionals who continually strive to seek ways to become even more effective and efficient in the services they provide to Georgia communities.

Executive Director Michael Nail

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