Unfortunately, bodycam videos often contain private info (nudity, PII, graphic scenes, etc), and need to be put through a censor before being made available to the public. So someone like a police chief has the power to cover something up pretty easily. An agency is only as honest as the ones with the power to control which videos make it out to the public.
Nonetheless, I support putting those features on all officers too. Even if it’s not perfect, it does improve things, and put a feeling of surveillance on the officers.
A number of municipalities have made the review boards consist of citizens outside the jurisdiction’s criminal justice structure. This is a great idea and should become more widely adopted.
Unfortunately, bodycam videos often contain private info (nudity, PII, graphic scenes, etc), and need to be put through a censor before being made available to the public. So someone like a police chief has the power to cover something up pretty easily. An agency is only as honest as the ones with the power to control which videos make it out to the public.
Nonetheless, I support putting those features on all officers too. Even if it’s not perfect, it does improve things, and put a feeling of surveillance on the officers.
A number of municipalities have made the review boards consist of citizens outside the jurisdiction’s criminal justice structure. This is a great idea and should become more widely adopted.