Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
LAO file photo
A majority of the police commission on Tuesday approved rules of the use of body cameras by LAPD officers, but it feels like the controversy is just beginning. The ACLU withdrew its support for body cameras after the divided commission passed its rules, saying that key protections against abuse were left out. “If implemented property, (body cameras) could build trust between police and the public,” said Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU. “But the proposed policy will likely do more harm than good, fueling suspicion that cameras are being used solely to benefit officers.” Commissioner Rob Saltzman voted no, also saying that a rule allowing officers to review footage before writing reports undermines the usefulness of video footage. Another commissioner, Kathleen Kim, did not attend the meeting but sided with Saltzman in a statement.
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck called the policy that will make the LAPD the largest law enforcement agency to record interactions with the public a sound compromise that gives officers faith in the system. Beck said footage he will not publicly release footage in most cases. The rules follow months of negotiations with the Police Protective League, the officers' union. Beck, Mayor Eric Garcetti and commission president Steve Soboroff called the police a model for other cities and departments to follow. "It’s an exciting start to history,” Soboroff said. “But with that comes a really big responsibility for this department to do this correctly.”
