Attempts to make body cam bill more transparent fail
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A state lawmaker argued Monday for more transparency when it comes to the public release of video from police body cameras.
“We need to build public confidence,” said Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis.)
The effort to create a statewide policy to spell out who can see body cam video — and when — continues to generate controversy.
Broadcasters and other first amendment advocates remain opposed to a bill that is now headed to a final vote in the Indiana House. They say it violates the spirit of the state’s open records law.
The bill would require police agencies to keep body camera video on file for 30 days and, in many cases, would require a court order before there is a public release of that video.
Democrats in the Indiana House attempted an amendment that would require the video to be archived for 180 days.
It would also place the burden of proof on the police rather than the public if they choose to keep a video private.
“If the officers or the sheriff or the police chief has an objection,” said Rep. DeLaney, “they need to prove that the public interest is not served by giving it out; prove that it creates a significant risk of substantial harm to someone.”
“Government business is the public’s business,” said Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie,), “and technology should not change that.”
That amendment, however, was defeated on a voice vote.
The author of the bill, Republican Kevin Mahan of Hartford City, admitted that there are some problems with the way it’s written, but he wants the House to pass it as is and then let the state Senate make changes later.
