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State Lawmakers Want Widespread Police Body Cams & Management

DENVER (CBS4) - The Denver Police Department is one of several departments in the state that is testing body cameras as a tool for both police and the public. As these cameras become more common, one state lawmaker is working to make them widespread.

The use of small cameras are fast becoming the expectation rather than the exception in law enforcement, aiming to increase accountability and transparency.

Body cams and data storage, however, are expensive. There are also concerns about privacy and public access to the video, which some lawmakers say the state should be managing.

Most departments in Colorado -- 80% -- either have body cams or are considering them. Denver police plans to purchase 800 of the cameras by summer.

Money is the biggest obstacle. Denver spent $1.5 million on cameras and data storage, and now, the state may chip in.

"It's my hope that if this trend is to continue, it be done in really thoughtful way with all evidence of what works best," explained state Rep. Daniel Kagan.

Daniel Kagan
(credit: CBS)

He plans to introduce a bill establishing grants for cameras and data storage, and charge a task force with developing recommendations: everything from when the cameras should be turned on, to who has access to the video and how long it is stored.

"That's far better than mandate," stated Annmarie Jensen, spokeswoman for the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police.

She said many departments see both advantages and drawbacks to body cams, explaining, "We're concerned about victims getting on camera who don't want to be, concerned about people in public who won't talk to law enforcement because they don't want to be on camera."

annmarie jensen
(credit: CBS)

The attorney general and the Colorado District Attorney's Council did an in-depth study of body cams. It addressed the myriad of issues regarding the cameras, including public access. For example, what if someone makes a mass open records request for videos? It happened in Washington state and is something the legislature will have to address.

"All of these are questions one has to establish answers to before just rushing out, buying a bunch of body cams and thinking it will be done right," said Rep. Kagan.

As for the funding, President Obama asked Congress to approve $263 million for body cams, and Kagan is eyeing that as a start.

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