FY16 Department
Director Work and
Performance Plan
SHERIFF
MECKLENBURG COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Key Initiative #1 - Inmate Scheduling and Video Visitation
Description: Prior to April 2015, inmate visitation required visitors to come in person to a detention facility
during an established schedule. After a brief screening process of the visitor, inmates and visitors met for noncontact visits in booths located in each facility on a specific day based on the inmates housing location. The
inmate scheduling and video visitation project is being implemented out in four phases. The first phase was
completed in June 2015 and provided for the scheduling of visits either through our website, on a kiosk located
in facility lobby, or with a visitation officer. The second phase began in June 2015 and now requires all visitors
to schedule their visits at least 24 hours prior to their visit. Both phase one and phase two still have visits
taking place at both facilities. The third phase of the project will introduce the video visitation aspect. Phase
three will add an on-site video visitation area utilizing the Work Release and Restitution Center. The final
phase will allow for visits to be conducted securely online with inmates via home computers.
Rationale: The current visitation process requires a significant amount of MCSO resources to ensure the
process is conducted in a safe, secure, and efficient manner. When video visitation is implemented, inmates
will not have to be moved out of their housing location to participate in visits, limiting the amount of
movement within our facilities. This will also reduce the amount of public traffic through the jail, which is a
safer and more secure approach when operating a detention facility. Additionally, video visitation should
improve the efficiency of the visitation process significantly.
Completion Date:
The project will be completed in different phases and dates are still in development.
Updates/Project Milestones:
Updates:
• Kickoff and training was conducted in December 2014
• Phase One- Scheduling at time of visit or online April 2, 2015
• June 2015- Scheduling at least 24 hours prior to visit
Project Milestones:
• Implementation of online scheduling for in person visits.
• Video visitation booths will be installed within MCSO detention facilities, along with the visitation
area within the WRRC facility, where visitors will come to conduct video visitation.
• Full implementation of video visitation allowing visitors to conduct video visitation utilizing personal
computers or tablets at home.
Outcome/Measures:
End of year reporting ONLY (proposed pending available data)
• % decrease in the number of staff hours required to facilitate the visitation process.
• % decrease in average time to conduct 30 minute visits.
Key Initiative #2 - MCSO Body-Worn Camera Project
Description: The American public seems to be united in their support for law enforcement officers wearing
body cameras. With several high-profile events involving law enforcement uses of force, it appears to be the
direction that law enforcement is headed. Several years ago in-car camera systems became the trend and now
in-car cameras are considered standard equipment in every patrol car. Body-worn cameras (BWC) are an
additional tool that can aid law enforcement officers with an unbiased account of any interactions with the
public. These cameras can aid in changing the behavior of the officer and the person being recorded during an
encounter with law enforcement.
Rationale: The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office believes that audio and video recording of contacts
between agency personnel and the public provides an objective record of events that transpired. The use of a
body worn cameras can monitor field and court personnel in their performance by providing a digital record of
those contacts in our courthouse, as well as enforcement and investigative field contacts.
Completion Date: The project plan is currently being developed. The goal for implementation of a bodyworn camera program is to be completed by January 2016.
Updates/Project Milestones:
Updates:
• Kickoff to be determined.
Project Milestones:
• Development of a Body-Worn Camera Policy.
• Identifying a BWC vendor to integrate with our current in-car video backend client.
• Training of staff and supervisors on BWC protocols.
• Full implementation of BWC
Review of BWC program
Outcome/Measures:
End of year reporting ONLY (proposed pending available data)
• Decrease in the number of citizen complaints.
• Decrease in the number of uses of force.
Key Initiative #3 - MCSO Property & Evidence Division
Description: Historically all property and evidence collected by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office
(MCSO) was recorded, stored, processed, and destroyed by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department
(CMPD) Property and Evidence Division. In the fall of 2014 CMPD notified MCSO that they were no longer
going to continue the process. The MCSO Property and Evidence Division will be responsible for all MCSO
seized property and evidence to include chain of custody processes, secure storage, releases, pursuing lab
results (drugs etc.) and proper disposal.
Rationale: The immediate need for the MCSO Property and Evidence Division requires a dedicated property
and evidence room to include security and equipment to ensure proper handling and storage. Minimum
standards dictate the need for trained evidence technicians and specific equipment to ensure that property and
evidence is properly safeguarded in accordance with industry best practices to ensure integrity of court cases
etc.
Completion Date: September 2015
Updates/Project Milestones:
Updates:
• Property and Evidence Manager under contract and currently working to develop/complete MCSO
Property and Evidence Division’s policies and procedures.
Project Milestones:
• Physical location updates for MCSO Property and Evidence Division
• Training all staff
• Fully operational without CMPD involvement by October 2015
Outcome/Measures:
• Measures in development
• End of year reporting ONLY
Key Initiative #4 - 3 - Year Department Strategic Business Plan (FY17 – 19)
Description: Create a 3 year department strategic business plan that incorporates department initiatives
(including those aligned to Mecklenburg Livable Communities Plan), identifies upcoming business
imperatives and links initiatives to the budget process.
Rationale: Department strategic business planning is essential to outlining departmental goals, strategies and
measures that will serve as the guiding document for budgeting from FY 17 – 19.
Completion Date:
January 2016
Updates/Project Milestones:
• August 2015: “Train the Facilitator” training
• September 10, 2015: County Manager’s Strategic Planning Retreat
• September – January 2016: Department drafts Strategic Business Plan
Outcome/Measures:
• Successful completion of a 3- Year Strategic Business Plan for FY17 – 19.