The San Diego Union Tribune had an editorial today (Sep 1 2015) that pointed out that the "police camera" revolution that had looked like it was going to help resolve the conflicts over police violence may be stopped in its tracks by new legislation. See this link. Steven Greenhut also addressed the subject in his column yesterday. There has been a series of bills proposed in the California State Legislature (AB66, SB175, AB69) that attempted to put some controls on how the cameras are to be used and how/when data can be viewed or shared with the officers and public. However the powerful police officers unions have apparently lobbied to stop or "water down" the proposed legislation. Some have decried "thug cops" for stopping the legislation.
We need our police forces to be admired and respected, not feared and hated. For years the police have confiscated cameras from bystanders who recorded what they were doing. I've never heard of a police officer being indicted for doing that, even though it is a crime. Police departments still confiscate videos of police arrests or police misconduct and then try to bury it. I believe the state needs to establish some standards that treat the officers and citizens fairly and equally when reporting or documenting crimes. If the police are permitted to view footage before writing their report, then accused citizens should have the same right before being interviewed by police. If not, then neither should have access. If the state does not establish standards, then maybe the Federal Government should draft some standards for use by Federal law enforcement agencies, and then it might become a "defacto" standard for states. I think FBI, DEA, Border Patrol, Coast Guard, and TSA officers should also all have body cameras turned on during activities, and that citizens involved should also be treated fairly and uniformly when in comes to access to those videos.
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