BREAKING: After a Nine-Year Fight, Hernando County Moves Forward with Body-Worn Cameras for Deputies

By Staff Writer — The Brooksville Signal

Brooksville, Fla -– In a milestone moment for transparency and accountability in local law enforcement, Hernando County’s leadership has committed funding for body-worn cameras for deputies of the ­Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. The move follows what Commissioner Steve Champion described as “a 9-year fight” to bring the technology into standard use.

“After a 9 year fight we just passed body cameras in Hernando County!” Champion declared on social media, as the county approved immediate funding to equip deputies with body-worn cameras. The announcement signals a shift in how the county sees the role of law enforcement, accountability, and public trust.

A step toward accountability

Body-worn cameras have become one of the key reform tools pushed by civil rights advocates, community activists and progressive-minded local officials in recent years. Research suggests that such devices can help reduce complaints against officers, improve evidence collection, and increase public trust — especially in communities where policing has historically lacked transparency.

By dedicating immediate funding for body-worn cameras, Hernando County is aligning with that reform trajectory. While the sheriff’s office will carry the operational responsibility, the county commission’s decision marks an important shift in the public-safety budget and practice.

Why it matters

For residents of the county, the move addresses longstanding concerns: What happens when a deputy’s actions are disputed? How does the community ensure footage is available and safeguarded? When law enforcement deploys cameras, the hope is that both officers and citizens benefit—officers have clear records of encounters, and citizens can have greater confidence in how incidents are handled.

Especially in smaller counties, where oversight mechanisms can be less developed than in major metropolitan areas, implementing such technology can be seen as a sign of progress. It signals: yes, we’re listening to calls for accountability, yes we’re willing to invest in reform.

Questions remaining

Despite the applause, several questions remain. How will this rollout be managed? Will there be clear policies for when cameras must be turned on or off? How is the recorded footage stored, who can access it, and under what conditions? What training will deputies receive? And will there be independent oversight to ensure the system isn’t just symbolic, but effective?

Critics will also watch the budget closely. Implementing a body-worn camera program isn’t just about buying devices; it includes training, data storage, review procedures and often increased oversight staff. As County commissioners wrestle with tight budgets, especially in the face of competing needs like housing, schools, and infrastructure, prioritizing camera funding is a statement, but whether the follow-through matches the promise remains to be seen.

A larger context

This decision comes at a time when public trust in policing is under intense scrutiny nationwide. From national debates around use-of-force, to local controversies over how deputies handle detainees and community interactions, the call for transparency is stronger than ever. Smaller communities like Hernando County are no exception. By approving funding for body-worn cameras after nearly a decade of debate, the commission is acknowledging that reform is not just urban or large‐city territory — it matters in rural and suburban counties as well.

What’s next

Commissioner Champion and the board will likely oversee the contracting, procurement and deployment phases. Residents and local media will have good reason to monitor how the sheriff’s office implements the program: how quickly cameras are distributed, how policy is communicated, and whether footage ends up being used to positively impact policing outcomes.

In his statement, Champion may have underscored the long road to getting here, but the real work begins now: ensuring that a “passed” reform becomes a functioning reality that improves trust, safety and justice in Hernando County.

See our original story about the announcement on the procurement of body worn cameras