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Calif. bill would create statewide standards for police body cams

AB 66 would create a task force “to create a comprehensive policy and best practices manual to be used by state and local law enforcement agencies”

By Chris Nichols
UT-San Diego

SACRAMENTO — Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, introduced a bill this week with the goal of creating statewide standards for the use of police body cameras.

If eventually passed by the Legislature and Gov. Brown, AB 66 would create a task force “to create a comprehensive policy and best practices manual to be used by state and local law enforcement agencies,” according to language in the bill. The panel would also study the effectiveness of police body cameras, the bill says.

Concerns about privacy have been raised in recent months as police departments across the nation have begun using body cameras in greater numbers, in an effort to provide more transparency in police work. Other issues involve how much or how little access the public will have to the recordings.

Full Story: Standards urged for police body cameras