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JSO to replace body cam mounts after cameras dislodge in several high-profile use of force cases

The shooting death of Michael Hughes is just the latest case in which police body cameras fell off, the topic of a recent First Coast News investigation.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will change the way officers affix their body cameras after numerous incidents in which cameras fell off officers.

The problem of dislodged body cameras was the subject of a recent investigation by First Coast News. Since then, there have been two additional cases where body cameras fell off: The arrest of Brittany Crishawn Williams last May, and the shooting death of Michael Hughes last month outside a hotel room on Youngerman Circle. 

RELATED: JSO: Dislodged police body cameras 'non-issue;' public concerned about transparency

Axon, the company that manufactures JSO's body cameras, is creating an alternative base that will replace the current magnetic mounts, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

RELATED: Deadly police shooting bodycam footage released from Jacksonville hotel incident

The JSO sent First Coast News the following statement concerning the new mounts:

“As a result of the recurring dislodging of the [body-worn cameras], the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has reached out to the manufacture of our units inquiring about an alternate mounting method than what is currently being used – a magnetic mount. AXON was able to provide an alternate uniform mounting solution that would provide a sturdier base for mounting the BWC to the officer’s uniform, while still offering a level of safety to the officer.  As a result of these findings, we are in the process of replacing all of the current magnetic mounts with the new mounts."

The new mounts will begin being replaced next month.

The magnetic mounts most recently failed in the officer-involved shooting death of Michael Hughes in a hotel room in late March. During the altercation between Hughes and the police officers, the bodycam fell off an officer, landing face down. After, the camera only captured the audio, but no video of the moment Hughes was shot.

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