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Every D.C. police patrol officer will wear a body camera by next summer Every D.C. police patrol officer will wear a body camera by next summer
(about 15 hours later)
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser on Wednesday signed into law what she hailed as “the most comprehensive, innovative . . . [and] one of the most transparent” police body camera programs in the country.D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser on Wednesday signed into law what she hailed as “the most comprehensive, innovative . . . [and] one of the most transparent” police body camera programs in the country.
By next summer all 2,800 D.C. police patrol officers will be outfitted with body cameras that are supposed to record all interactions between police and members of the community. By next summer, all 2,800 D.C. police patrol officers will be outfitted with body cameras that are supposed to record all interactions between police and members of the community.
Bowser signed the bill as police departments across the country are grappling with how to handle police shootings of civilians and deaths in police custody. The national debate has stirred tension between police and black Americans, who activists say have long born the brunt of police abuses. Bowser (D) signed the bill as police departments across the country are grappling with how to handle police shootings of civilians and deaths in police custody. The national debate has stirred tension between law enforcement and African Americans, who activists say have long been subject to police abuses.
[Post study: Nearly 1,000 people shot by police in 2015][Post study: Nearly 1,000 people shot by police in 2015]
D.C. Council Chairman Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), who led the effort to secure broad public access to body-camera footage, told reporters Wednesday that the law was “not a panacea designed to address all the issues that have historically existed in communities of color in terms of trust of law enforcement,” but rather a “tool.” D.C. Council Chairman Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), who led the effort to secure broad public access to body-camera footage, told reporters Wednesday that the law was “not a panacea designed to address all the issues that have historically existed in communities of color in terms of trust of law enforcement,” but rather a “tool.”
“It is a 21st-century policing tool that will help law enforcement against false complaints by the public, but also help the public in terms of transparency and accountability in allowing us greater insights into how police do their work,” McDuffie said.“It is a 21st-century policing tool that will help law enforcement against false complaints by the public, but also help the public in terms of transparency and accountability in allowing us greater insights into how police do their work,” McDuffie said.
The original bill proposed by Bowser (D) last spring would have exempted the footage from public viewing. McDuffie negotiated with the mayor’s office for months to arrive at a compromise. The original bill Bowser proposed last spring would have exempted the footage from public viewing. McDuffie negotiated with the mayor’s office for months to arrive at a compromise.
According to the new law, much of the city’s body-camera footage will be available to the public through Freedom of Information Act requests, a practice that officials said will improve accountability and transparency on both sides.According to the new law, much of the city’s body-camera footage will be available to the public through Freedom of Information Act requests, a practice that officials said will improve accountability and transparency on both sides.
The subjects of police videos will also be able to review that specific footage at local police stations, free of charge, with a maximum 48-hour wait. District police will be able to review body-camera footage before writing police reports, except in cases of police-involved shootings. Body-camera footage that is recorded inside private homes, or that involves domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, will be exempt from public access. The subjects of police videos will also be able to review the specific footage at local police stations, free of charge, with a maximum 48-hour wait. District police will be able to review body-camera footage before writing police reports, except in cases of police-involved shootings. Body-camera footage that is recorded inside private homes, or that involves domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, will be exempt from public access.
As part of a trial body-camera program, 400 District police officers are already outfitted with the equipment. Another 700 are expected to start using it in February, and the rest will do so in June. As part of a trial body-camera program, 400 D.C. police officers have been outfitted with the equipment. An additional 700 are expected to start using it in February, and the rest will do so in June.
District officials on Wednesday said the scope of the program is unprecedented, and should set new “best practices” for the nation. D.C. officials on Wednesday said the scope of the program is unprecedented, and should set new “best practices” for the nation.
[Residents say crime is Washington’s No. 1 problem, poll finds][Residents say crime is Washington’s No. 1 problem, poll finds]
The District, along with several other major U.S. cities, has seen a dramatic spike in murders this year. There have been 162 homicides in the city, up 54 percent from this time last year, and city officials have struggled to identify a probable cause. The District, along with several other major U.S. cities, has seen a dramatic spike in murders this year. There have been 162 homicides in the city, up 54 percent from this time last year, and city officials have struggled to identify a cause.
Bowser noted the city’s ongoing crime concerns Wednesday, saying that the cameras constituted “a giant step forward” in improving public safety.Bowser noted the city’s ongoing crime concerns Wednesday, saying that the cameras constituted “a giant step forward” in improving public safety.
A November poll by the Washington Post found that more than 1 in 3 District residents ranked crime as their number one concern, and 51 percent said that the city hasn’t been tough enough in responding. A November poll by The Washington Post found that more than 1 in 3 D.C. residents ranked crime as their No. 1 concern, and 51 percent said that the city hasn’t been tough enough in responding.