Photo by Matt Cohen

Photo by Matt Cohen

One vote down, one more to go on the state of D.C. Police body-worn camera footage. Today, a unanimous vote on the D.C. Council has residents closer to viewing much of what is recorded by MPD officers.

The proposal allows the public to view most footage recorded by officers’ body-worn cameras in public space, including assaults. Anyone who is the subject of a video, and those alleging officer misconduct, can view footage pertaining to their situations. In addition, the mayor can release “otherwise undisclosed” footage of officer-involved shootings, use of force by an officer, and assaults that put officers in the hospital.

The plan also restricts access to video taken in a private residence or anything involving domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Plus, it includes measures to properly train officers to use body-worn cameras, and safeguards footage against police tampering.

This decision comes amid much back and forth between Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration and the D.C. Council.

Most recently, a D.C. government committee chaired by Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie passed the “Body-Worn Camera Program Amendment Act of 2015,” which the council voted on today.

Before that, Bowser wanted to make the recordings exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests, meaning the public wouldn’t be able to see any video taken by police. She later had a change of heart, announcing a plan that would release more police footage than any other jurisdiction in the country.

And that basically puts us where we are today. But the bill must go before the full council once more before it’s approved.

Currently, MPD has 400 body cameras in two police districts. As part of Bowser’s Safer, Stronger D.C. legislation, the city would purchase and employ 2,800 body cameras this coming year. The cameras are about a $5 million investment.

Filed Under: body-worn cameras, d.c. police, mpd,