Bill > S1257

This bill mandates that all police officers be equipped with a "Personal audio-video recording device," which is defined as a device attached to an officer's clothing or gear that captures video and audio from their perspective, and is considered an intercepting device under existing law. It establishes a Law Enforcement Data Review Committee, composed of legislators, law enforcement officials, legal representatives, and community advocates, to advise on policies, recommend best practices for data collection and analysis, and work to prevent racial profiling. The bill requires officers to inform individuals they are recording, and individuals can refuse to be recorded, though officers must state their reason for turning off the device. Recordings are generally exempt from public disclosure laws, but individuals filmed and their legal representatives can access them. The bill also sets minimum technical standards for the recording devices, including picture quality, battery life, and memory capacity, and outlines specific situations when recording must begin, with limited exceptions for sensitive crimes or to protect identities. Furthermore, it mandates training for personnel involved with these devices, establishes protocols for device malfunctions, data uploads, and incident reporting, and sets disciplinary measures for non-compliance, while also detailing strict rules for data storage, retention, and access, including provisions for releasing data to the public, legal professionals, and citizen review boards.