PhoSheriff Eric Watson and Bradley County Deputy Daniel Marlow explain the uses of the new ProVision High Definition Dash Camera.
Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson says the proceeds of two public auctions held by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office have quickly yielded results. The public auctions, held in December and May, raised some $180,000 by selling obsolete and unneeded equipment and cars that had accumulated over several years.
The sale of the items at auction meant that no taxpayers’ money was spent on needed items for officers.
The sheriff says one of the most important purchases made from auction proceeds were some 26 ProVision High Definition Dash Camera systems. The new systems surpass the technology of previous dash cams.
Sheriff Watson said, “I’m excited about the new system, because it is geared to officer safety and citizens’ safety.” The ProVision cameras have small transmitters that the deputy wears, and can be activated from outside the vehicle. When an officer activates their blue lights, the audio transmitter automatically is activated. There is a built-in GPS system, which shows location, plus day and night mode, allowing for use 24 hours a day.
Sheriff Watson continued by saying, “I really like the fact the ProVision system has a back seat camera with infrared night vision. This allows a Bradley County deputy to view a suspect’s activity while being transported on a small screen on the patrol car’s rear-view mirror. This aids in the safety of the officer and suspect, in addition to recording the entire trip from arrest until arrival at the Bradley County Jail.”
The new system was purchased after bids were requested from several companies. Sheriff Watson describes the ProVision High Definition Dash Camera as “a tremendous assistance as our deputies do their jobs. The new dash cams mean 26 more Bradley County Sheriff’s Office units can document an encounter with a suspect from initial contact to delivery to the jail.
"One of the best parts about the purchase of the 26 new, state of the art audio and video cameras, is not a dime of your tax money was spent. We were able to buy these cameras, using the bid process, but with proceeds totally from the December and May auctions.”
“These auctions were win-win for the public and for the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office…even more so for the officers, who now have an independent set of eyes and ears in their vehicles and on their uniforms that help them safely do their jobs.”