Cobb County has implemented a telematics program to promote safe driving behavior, reduce risk, and improve operational efficiency. The program includes GPS tracking, driver behavior analytics, and forward-facing dashcam video. Installation has been completed in our top 2 departments.
Retention and Preservation
- Telematics provider retains video of unsafe driving events and collisions indefinitely.
- My office is the designated custodian of all telematics and dashcam records.
- Upon issuance of a litigation hold, relevant telematics and dashcam data are downloaded and preserved locally.
- Police dashcam and bodycam footage continues to be managed by the Police Department under its existing 180-day retention policy.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Compliance
- Telematics and dashcam data are subject to public records requests under Georgia's Open Records Act.
- Our office coordinates with the County Attorney's Office to review and respond to requests, ensuring that exemptions (e.g., ongoing investigations, personal privacy, or security concerns) are properly applied.
- Our office issues litigation holds, so our department preserves all things telematics and dash cam.
Implementation Challenges/Lessons Learned
- Despite existing use of dashcams and bodycams, some employees expressed concern over perceived surveillance.
- The County addressed this by emphasizing the program's focus on safety, coaching, and recognition-not discipline.
Lessons Learned
- Expect resistance – and plan for it. Transparency and consistent messaging are key to overcoming skepticism.
- Start with a pilot – Pilot multiple systems and use data to demonstrate value.
- Communicate the purpose clearly – emphasize safety, coaching, and recognition – not surveillance or discipline.
- Engage department leadership early – secure buy-in from department heads to champion the program.
- Integrate litigation hold and FOIA processes
- Monitor and adjust continuously – review program effectiveness, adjust coaching and training based on feedback.
Our final telematics policy is pending approval, so I can share the full policy in this group at a later date. If you currently have a litigation hold policy in place for law enforcement body cam, I recommend building off that program.
BTW...Samsara is the system we chose. We were sold on indefinite storage, video quality, ease of use, and scorecard data. We also had the option to set retention for184 days, so we are contemplating.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
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Ordale Randall
Risk Manager
County of Cobb
Marietta GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-08-2025 09:42
From: Matthew Phillips
Subject: Quick Question About Front-Facing Cameras in Fleet Vehicles
Hi everyone,
I'm reaching out to see what other jurisdictions are doing with front-facing cameras in fleet vehicles. We're planning to pilot these cameras in our Fire & EMS units, but some questions have come up about how to handle non-accident-related FOIA requests for footage.
If you're already using front-facing cameras:
Do you have policies or procedures-especially around FOIA and how footage is handled or released?
Any tips, best practices, or lessons learned from your rollout?
Anything you're willing to share would really help as we move forward with our pilot.
Thanks so much!
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Matthew Phillips
Safety & Risk Manager
County of Hanover & Hanover County Public Schools
Ashland VA
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