The Senate Public Safety Committee gave unanimous approval April 14 to legislative efforts by Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) to improve relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. His legislation, SB 175, would require each law enforcement department or agency that chooses to require officers to wear body-worn cameras (BWCs), to develop a policy relating to the use of the cameras.
“It is vital that any legislative framework regarding these polices remain flexible so that local agencies can develop policies and procedures that line up with community needs and agency resources,” said Senator Huff. “Having talked with members of numerous law enforcement agencies, a one-size-fits-all approach is unacceptable.”
According to the Police Executive Research Forum of 2014, “Law enforcement agencies that require officers to use body cameras, report that the technology definitely improves community relationships by improving the performance of officers as well as the conduct of the community members who are recorded.”
Furthermore, a survey of officers conducted by the Vacaville California Police Department found that including officers in the implementation process and allowing them to have meaningful input generated support for the cameras.
Body camera technology helps solve crimes, is useful in recording important eyewitness accounts and lowers the number of citizen complaints. When officers or the public break the law, the body-worn cameras create a public record.
“I would to thank the Senate Public Safety Committee for voting to move this bill forward,” said Senator Huff. “I will continue to build a consensus of support for this legislation.”
Senator Huff serves as the Senate Republican Leader and represents the 29thSenate District covering portions of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Follow Senator Huff on Twitter at @bobhuff99.
