Mayor Proposes Most Transparent Laws in U.S. on Police Body Cameras

Reversing her original stance to keep police officers’ body-camera footage away from public view, Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed the most open plan in America. Citing the high-profile police shootings of the past year, Bowser has changed her stance. “Nationally, we have all seen too many instances where video footage proved to be invaluable,” she said.

Private citizens would be able to view silenced footage of any police interactions on street corners, during traffic stops and elsewhere outdoors. But, in line with privacy concerns, video recorded indoors or in private settings and cases of domestic violence or sexual assault, even in public places, would not be viewable except in court proceedings.

Any person recorded by a body camera could view footage of their interaction at a police station within 90 days of the incident. Academic researchers, prosecutors, the Office of Police Complaints and a few others would have unrestricted access to all of the footage.

The D.C. officers’ union and advocates for open government and police accountability say the plan does not go far enough, but are pleased that the mayor recognized the lack of support for completely restricting public access.