FORT VALLEY, Ga. — A picture is worth a thousand words, and in a police investigation, it can help determine a verdict.
DJ Flores became the city's police chief this spring. He said he saw the need for his department to bridge the technology gap relative to other departments. After working with the Dublin Police Department, Flores is familiar with body-worn cameras.
According to a map provided by Reporter's Committee For Freedom of the Press, Georgia does not have a statewide mandate or law requiring law enforcement to wear body cams.
"Provided that we are not currently actively investigating anything that involves that body-worn camera. I am more than glad to roll any type of video out and be transparent to the community," Flores said.
Flores said implementing the body camera program has been on his agenda since his start with the Fort Valley Police Department. The budget for the cameras, funded by SPLOST dollars, was approved last fiscal year in October of 2023 but will be reflected in the city's 2024 budget.
He said he wants the cameras to benefit both the community and his officers, ensuring transparency and openness.
"We have to be in compliance first with the community we serve," Flores said. "That's one of the steps that I first took when I became as the assistant chief: is how to enhance how we conduct public safety service."
Former Dublin Police Captain James Champion recently joined the team as a lieutenant. He said the department's decision to invest in updated body-worn cameras will be a good thing for the department.
"If I come up to you, as soon as I step out of the car I turn my body camera on," Champion said. "It doesn't miss anything."
Champion said this will hopefully help keep things from getting out of hand.
"The interaction between the citizen and the police officer is so much more relaxed because everybody knows that they're on the camera," Champion said.
Flores said every unit in the department will receive one. In compliance with his new policy, it will be required for all officers on duty to wear them. Not wearing the cameras will result in the officer being placed on a temporary suspension.
He said the officers will be trained on the new camera equipment later this month. He says he hopes to bring in additional equipment to make the department more multi-faceted in its safety initiatives.