Civil rights groups oppose police body camera bill, alarmed by public records exemptions

Civil Rights groups are sounding the alarm about public records exemptions in a police body camera bill moving through the Senate.

A coalition that includes the ACLU intend to argue Thursday the exemptions are so broad they prevent disclosure of evidence of police misconduct “even in the most egregious circumstances”.

Groups including   Latino Justice, Organize Now, and Emerge USA say they support police-worn body cameras because they believe they will reduce instances of excessive force but that the exemptions defeat that purpose. They       wrote Senators last month about their concerns. You can the letter here.

The Senate Rules Committee will consider the measure, SB248, when it meets Thursday morning