Bill Text: TX HR1349 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting the speaker to create an interim committee to study issues relating to police body camera equipment.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-09 - Left pending in committee [HR1349 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HR1349-Introduced.html
84R13150 RMA-D | ||
By: Wu | H.R. No. 1349 |
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WHEREAS, Across the nation, law enforcement agencies are | ||
employing body-worn camera systems to promote even greater | ||
transparency in the interactions between police officers and the | ||
public and to ensure procedural justice; in many cases, however, | ||
guidelines have not been fully developed to consider privacy and | ||
security concerns caused by the use of cameras; and | ||
WHEREAS, Body cameras have been shown to enhance officer | ||
professionalism and to dramatically decrease use-of-force | ||
incidents; moreover, the technology has helped agencies in | ||
evaluating officer performance and in developing training tools for | ||
tactics, communication, and customer service, resulting in fewer | ||
public complaints filed against police departments; and | ||
WHEREAS, In addition to advancing policing practices, body | ||
cameras have proven to be invaluable resources in investigations | ||
and court proceedings by providing video evidence of unlawful | ||
activity and crime scenes and footage of victim statements; and | ||
WHEREAS, While body cameras benefit myriad aspects of our | ||
justice system, it is incumbent on law enforcement agencies to | ||
implement policies that safeguard the rights of officers and | ||
citizens alike; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby request the speaker of the house to create an | ||
interim committee to study issues relating to police body camera | ||
equipment, including network and equipment security, records | ||
retention, preservation, and privacy rights; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including | ||
its findings and recommendations, to the House of Representatives | ||
of the 85th Texas Legislature before it convenes in January 2017. |