Allen County Deputies Still Not Equipped with Body Cameras, Records Show

Editor’s note (Dec. 10, 2025): This report reflects the status at the time of publication. Allen County officials have since announced plans to purchase body cameras, though it is unclear when full deployment will occur.

LIMA, OH — As body-worn cameras become standard equipment for law enforcement agencies across the country, a recent public records exchange has confirmed that the Allen County Sheriff’s Office does not currently equip its deputies with body cameras.

In an email response from the Records Division of the Sheriff’s Office, a staff member plainly stated:

“The Allen County Sheriff’s Office does not have body cams.”

This confirmation comes as a surprise to many, especially as body-worn cameras have become a cornerstone of modern policing practices. These devices are widely used to document interactions between officers and civilians, improve transparency, and serve as critical evidence in both criminal and civil proceedings.

A National and Statewide Trend — But Not Here

Across Ohio and the United States, sheriff’s departments and municipal police forces have been steadily adopting body-worn cameras. In 2021, Ohio launched the Body-Worn Camera Grant Program, which distributed millions of dollars to help agencies purchase equipment and manage video storage costs. Many counties — including urban and mid-sized regions — have taken advantage of such funding to implement bodycam programs.

But Allen County remains among those that have not.

Unlike the Lima Police Department, which began deploying body cameras in recent years, the Sheriff’s Office — responsible for covering rural areas, townships, and jail operations — has opted not to outfit deputies with these devices.

Why It Matters

Without body cameras, there is no first-hand video documentation of deputy interactions during high-stakes calls such as arrests, evictions, or mental health interventions. This lack of visual evidence can hinder investigations, lead to conflicting accounts of what occurred, and reduce public trust in outcomes.

While some departments have voiced concerns over the cost of implementation — particularly data storage, staffing for public records requests, or union negotiations — the lack of any bodycam program in Allen County raises questions about oversight priorities in an era where video accountability is expected by many.

Next Steps for Transparency

It remains unclear whether the Allen County Sheriff’s Office has applied for or declined state grant funding to purchase body-worn cameras. With public expectations continuing to shift, local officials may face growing calls to justify why deputies remain unrecorded while performing official duties.

As discussions around law enforcement accountability evolve, many residents may begin to ask:
Why not Allen County?