CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- Cases of alleged police misconduct are one of the reason body cameras are getting attention. Now with domestic violence a high profile topic, many people think the devices will help reduce the high number of South Carolina women who die at the hands of their boyfriends, husbands, and exes.
A video was played for members of the Criminal Domestic Violence Reform Committee in Columbia on Wednesday. The police body camera is a tool used by law enforcement in Spartanburg County. Seventh Solicitor Barry Barnette says it's a weapon in prosecuting CDV cases.
And he wants every officer to wear one.
“It's very simple, just provide the funding. Believe me if the officers don't have these videos or whatever, a good defense attorney will point that out," Barnett told the 10-member reform committee.
"This is where we have criminal domestic violence court once a month," explained Carole Grunsky as showed the courtroom where domestic violence cases are heard by a judge in Berkeley County. "We still ask the victims to come and testify against what was done against them. And that's very intimidating."
As the victim assistance coordinator for the sheriff's office, she believes cameras worn by cops would keep battered women from facing their partner after a violent incident.
"The camera will show the court exactly what's going on. The defendant won't be able to say that it was a misunderstanding and that sort of thing," said Grunsky.
She says many victims are too scared to testify against an abuser. She thinks video documentation like this would go a long way in providing justice.
"If the court can see just how bad it was that night, then I think we'll be able to get more convictions. And defendants will have to be more accountable for their actions," said Grunsky.
The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office doesn't have any police body cameras. spokesman says they want them for each of their 135 sworn officers, but it's too expensive.
For now, Grunsky plans to look for grant money so the sheriff's office can buy a few of them.
