Jefferson County Sheriff's Office rolls out new body-worn cameras with language translation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office now uses body-worn and in-car cameras.

Many police departments in Jefferson County — like Louisville Metro Police — already have body cameras that activate automatically when deputies turn their lights on and when they draw their weapons. However, this is a first for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

The hope is the cameras will increase transparency and promote de-escalation.

The cameras can also translate 40 languages, which JCSO Chief Deputy Steve Healy said is "huge."

"We have such a diverse community in Jefferson County and when you can't have simple conversation, that's where conflict can arise," Healy said.

Maj. Justin Witt said the translation ability will help them better serve the community.

"If you imagine holding your hand up and swearing an oath to the citizens of Jefferson County that 'I'm here to serve and protect you,' but I'm not able to do that effectively because I can't understand you, this is a gap that we're able to bridge now with this technology to make sure we serve all members of Jefferson County," Witt said.

Deputies gave the body cameras and dash cams a test drive during Thunder Over Louisville last Saturday.

"We are just now rolling these out," Healy said.

Now, the department is adding the cameras into its regular routines. More than 200 Jefferson County deputies have the body-worn cameras, with around 70 deputies still training with them.

"This is an investment in our relationship with the community," Healy said. "The community demands transparency, we demand transparency."