INDIANAPOLIS — There’s has been a greater emphasis placed on monitoring the actions of police during the past year-plus in an attempt for greater transparency between law enforcement and the public. However, there has been a debate about whether releasing body and dashboard camera footage will hinder investigations.
The Indiana state Senate took matters into its own hands to define the law in those situations. On Thursday, it voted unanimously to pass a bill that will allow Indiana law enforcement agencies to withhold the release of surveillance to the public that was taken on body cameras or dashboard cameras.
FOX 59 in Indianapolis reports a person can challenge the agency’s decision in court. Then, the agency would have 30 days to justify why releasing the video would hinder an investigation or possibly harm someone involved.
Bill sponsor Sen. Rodric Bray (R) of Martinsville says the bill is a compromise between those advocating for more transparency and law enforcement.
