×

Legislation Would Provide Body Cams To State Police

A state Assemblywoman has introduced legislation to create a body camera program for the New York State Police. P-J file photo

The New York State Police may soon be wearing body cameras — assuming the state Legislature figures out how it wants to pay for such a program.

Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, D-Brooklyn, has introduced legislation in the state Assembly, A.8674, to create a body camera program for the New York State Police. The agency will provide all officers on patrol with body cameras, with the expectation that the cameras be turned on immediately before an officer gets out of a patrol car to interact with a person or situation even if a dashboard camera in the trooper’s vehicle would capture the interaction.

The body camera is also to be on for any use of force, all arrests or summons, all interactions with people suspected of criminal activity, searches of people and property, calls to a crime in progress or investigations where there are interactions with the public. Cameras are also to be on whenever a State Trooper interacts with someone who is emotionally disturbed, when the officers feel imminent danger or the need to document their time on duty.

Walker’s legislation stipulates the state Attorney General’s Office will investigate any instance when a State Police trooper’s body camera doesn’t record an event included in the bill.

Body cameras could be turned off during sensitive encounters, including speaking with a confidential informant or conducting a strip search and if a member of the public asks the officer to turn the camera off, though the officer can disregard the request if the officer decides the interaction should be recorded.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today