police body cameras – Page 2 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Pa. Attorney: Bill increasing police body cams shouldn’t limit access to records

Posted on

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 976, which would curtail public access to police body camera video and force anyone who wants access to go through a court process, has reached the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee after passing the Republican-controlled Senate last month.

Senators passed the bill 45-5 to change the state's Wiretap Act to allow police to wear body cameras into private homes and public spaces without having to explicitly inform everyone they encounter that they are wearing a camera.

[…]

NC among states to limit access to police videos

Posted on

Amid a growing outcry over police shootings of black men, many states are taking actions to restrict public access to police video shot by dashboard and body cameras.

In North Carolina — where Keith Lamont Scott was fatally shot last week by Charlotte police — a new law takes effect Saturday that some experts say will make it more difficult for the public to see video shot by police.

[…]

LAPD Body Camera Deal Clears Key Hurdle

Posted on

Los Angeles city lawmakers broke through a lengthy political logjam over police body cameras on Tuesday, clearing the way for a City Council vote on the costly initiative.

[…]

Ohio: More police body cameras bring public records issues

Posted on

Government and reporters across Ohio are wading through uncharted technological waters as more body cameras pop up on uniforms amid allegations of police misconduct.

[…]

Editorial: Minnesota Senate’s police body-cam bill hinders public access

Posted on

From the 1991 Rodney King beating in California to the 2014 shooting death of Laquan McDonald in Chicago, nothing had more impact on the public than the video evidence. And, in cities across the nation, video of police-citizen interactions have helped inform the debate over police conduct.

In fact, that’s the point behind efforts to equip all cops with body cameras. Along with dashcams, surveillance camera footage and cellphone video, body cams can help give the most accurate accounts of what happens as police officers do their jobs.

[…]

Experts: Police body cameras will become standard in Connecticut, but funding still a question

Posted on

Body cameras will soon be standard operating equipment for all police officers in Connecticut, according to a group of law enforcement and freedom of information experts who participated in a recent Southern Connecticut State University forum.

[…]

NEFAC to address FOI fallout from police cameras

Posted on

As police departments around the country increasingly use body cameras, many questions arise about access to these video records under freedom of information laws and how journalists can use the videos ethically.

On April 8, the New England First Amendment Coalition will conduct a panel discussion on issues related to the use of body cameras at the Making CONNections journalism conference at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Conn.

[…]

Indiana bill to allow the withholding of body camera footage advances

Posted on

A legislative proposal allowing Indiana law enforcement agencies to withhold video from police body cameras is advancing unchanged.

The Indiana House rejected on a voice vote Monday a proposed amendment that would have judges release the video unless doing so would increase the risk of harm to someone or prejudice a court case.

Bill sponsor Republican Rep. Kevin Mahan of Hartford City argued against the change, saying he wanted a process that encourages police agencies to start using body cameras.

[…]

Editorial: Cop cams are a start, but watch for the fine print

Posted on

Everyone likes first steps. It shows progress. It shows a willingness to move ahead and find better answers.

It's how babies learn to walk and then run.

But before anyone gets warm and giggly with Waukegan's $1 million purchase of body cameras for all its officers, time to read the small print. Continue…

———————

[…]

Coalition joins others calling on D.C. Council to reject mayor’s proposal to hide police body camera videos

Posted on

DCOGC President Kevin Goldberg testified to the D.C. legislature Wednesday this week on the latest proposals from the mayor that would limit public access to police body camera video, calling them "unnecessary and overbroad."

[…]