Senate to hear bill to let police withhold body camera video

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – An Indiana Senate panel will hear arguments on a bill to give law enforcement agencies the authority to withhold body camera video from the public.

The measure being heard Wednesday passed the House last month in a 65-30 vote.

The bill would give agencies discretion, but would also allow a person to seek a court order if they’re able to prove releasing the footage would not cause harm and is in the public interest.

Supporters of the proposal say it would protect the privacy of people who are featured in body camera video. But media groups and public access advocates argue withholding the video would be detrimental to open-government laws and transparency within law enforcement agencies.