Stand Against Prejudice
Police body cameras are an excellent resource to keep police accountable and citizens informed. They can be instrumental in deterring police from acting violently or unjustly. However, they often are kept from the public despite the fact that they have the potential to objectively depict a situation that was previously under dispute. Without public recognition, many acts of unreasonable use of force go unnoticed and do not receive enough attention despite their severity. This allows violent police officers to continue to work and provides them with the opportunity to hurt others.
However, when videos of these violent acts are shown as proof that they were committed, they are more frequently followed by disciplinary action against the officers. This is because the mishandling of the situation can no longer be ignored.
This petition demands bodycam footage concerning police use of force to be made available to the public within 48 hours of public request. Additionally, if the incident was not recorded because the bodycam was not recording or properly equipped when it was required to be, we demand the officer be suspended or immediately removed from active duty until the investigation is completed.
Body camera footage could bring recognition to the countless incidents of police use of force that are not recorded or investigated. By providing the public with access to them, citizens are more easily able to bring recognition to injustice and it will deter future violent crimes committed by police officers.