Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers are advancing a bill intended to protect police officers by giving them time to decide whether to keep video footage secret.
Groups representing the media and public defenders worry it could thwart access to public records and drive up the cost of acquiring controversial police videos.
The Assembly voted 59-1 in favor of Assemblyman Miguel Santiago’s proposal Thursday.
The Los Angeles Democrat’s proposal would give police pictured in a video at least three days’ notice to give them a chance to fight its release.
California already allows police to seek injunctions prohibiting the disclosure of videos that may cause people to harass, intimidate, threaten or harm them.
The California Police Chiefs Association also opposes the bill, saying it would remove the discretion of managers in releasing videos.
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