TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After several high-profile shooting incidents, Democratic lawmakers Wednesday backed legislation that would expand the use of police body cameras.
Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, and Rep. Al Jacquet, D-Lantana, have filed bills (SB 828 and HB 513) that would mandate body cameras for all officers who regularly make traffic stops.
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Body cameras have become a major issue after officer-involved shootings in Florida and nationally raised questions about whether the police actions were warranted.
Supporters of the bills said body cameras can help clear up questions about confrontations between police and members of the public.
"Everybody does not trust police officers anymore," said Sen. Daphne Campbell, a Miami Democrat who is co-sponsoring the Senate bill. "We have to stop that. This is why this bill is so important, just to get back the trust between police officers and the communities."
The proposal has not been heard in legislative committees. Current Florida law addresses law-enforcement agencies that choose to have the cameras.
In such situations, the agencies are required to establish procedures for use and maintenance of the body cameras and the data they record.