Deputies inside the Arlington County jail have started wearing body cameras, a move touted as “a significant step forward in enhancing safety, transparency, and accountability.”
The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office announced the rollout today (Tuesday), saying Axon-brand cameras have been issued to deputies across several operational areas of the jail. ACSO previously used body-worn cameras only in civil process work and inmate transportation.
“One of my top priorities is maintaining a safe, progressive jail that supports both staff and those in our custody,” Sheriff Jose Quiroz said in a press release. “Body-worn cameras strengthen transparency, support our deputies in their daily work, and enhance safety throughout the facility.”
The rollout completes a long-planned initiative. The County Board allocated $161,140 for the cameras during last year’s budget process.
The sheriff’s office said agencies that have deployed similar programs have reported reductions in assaults on staff, decreases in use-of-force incidents and fewer grievances filed by incarcerated people.
Assaults on deputies have been a growing concern at the jail. Reported assaults on staff more than doubled between Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024, from 28 to 66, according to sheriff’s office data Quiroz presented to the County Board last year.
The body-camera rollout is the latest operational change under Quiroz. In November, ACSO took over medical care at the jail, ending a contract with a private provider — a change the sheriff had pushed for following a series of in-custody deaths under the former medical model.
“We appreciate the support and cooperation as we implement this program,” Quiroz added. “We are confident this technology will have a positive impact inside our facility and continue to build trust with the community we serve.”
