Friday, April 17, 2015

California Assembly panel approves legislation preventing police from viewing body camera footage

While states and cities across the country are rushing to pass body camera legislation that primarily benefits police, a California Assembly panel approved what may be the most intelligent and thoughtful legislation yet on police-worn body cameras:

Despite opposition from law enforcement groups, a state Assembly panel approved legislation Tuesday that would set strict rules for police officers wearing body cameras, including a prohibition on officers reviewing video footage before they make their initial statement on use-of-force incidents.

Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) said she introduced the measure to “to ensure the public’s trust in law enforcement” after a series of recent police shootings of unarmed African American men.

The Assembly Public Safety Committee voted 5-1 to approve the measure, which sets statewide standards for use by law enforcement agencies that decide to require their officers to wear body cameras.  READ MORE

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