Proposed bills would put body cameras on all cops

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A call for police accountability has led to a national push for body cameras on cops. Two bills have been proposed in the state Legislature, but they could face opposition.

The cameras can run from $300-$900 each including software. The expectation is that the Legislature won't move on the bills until next year, after it gets feedback from police forces already using the technology.

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Florida State University's police department has about 13 body cameras at its disposal, and the department wants more.

"We can go back and look at what went on, or help us with our cases; it's been a very positive thing for us," said Maj. Jim Russel, of FSU's police department.

FSU won the cameras in a contest a few years ago before the push for police accountability was highlighted by protests around the country. The only thing holding the acquisition of more cameras is money.

FSUPD officials said the best thing about the cameras is that it shows an officer's view and eliminates questions surrounding a case.

Two bills would put cameras on all cops in Florida. But Florida House Criminal Justice Subcommittee member Dennis Baxley said he doesn't want people blaming cops and overlooking other crime.  

"The mantra we've painted is that there's this big problem with law enforcement mistreating people," Baxley said. "We have an epidemic of death among young males -- African American males. But 92 percent of those deaths are not somebody attacking them, they're black-on-black crime."

Attorney Ben Crump, whose clients in Ferguson, Missouri, are pushing for the cameras, said that if officers aren't doing anything wrong, it won't be a problem. 

"I think it would deter all crimes," Crump said. "People act differently when they know they're being videoed -- on both sides."

The Florida Senate is planning on holding a workshop for the proposed bill.