Legislation Establishes Policies Relating to Camera Usage
Legislation designed to improve relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve is moving to the State Assembly after receiving unanimous support during a Senate Floor vote. SB 175, authored by Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), will 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.
SB 175 would require the policy to be developed in collaboration with nonsupervisory officers; include the duration, time and place when body-worn cameras shall be worn and operational; the length of time video collected by officers will be stored; the procedures for, and limitations on, public and officer access to recordings taken by body worn cameras and to include officer training.
“My thanks to colleagues in the Senate for their support, the support of the California Police Chiefs Association and the California Peace Officers Association,” said Senator Huff. “It’s important that any policies set on the state level remain flexible so that local agencies can develop procedures that line up with community needs and agency resources.”
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.”
SB 175 demonstrates an even-handed approach to a serious public safety issue by keeping the discussion focused on the public safety and privacy rights of all citizens, including our peace officers, who are tasked with enormous responsibility to protect and to serve, while preserving the public’s trust.
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.