© 2021
In touch with the world ... at home on the High Plains
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Colorado Law Enforcement Debates Body Camera Access

Colorado Springs Police Department
/
cpr.org

The nation is still reeling from the aftereffects of two more controversial police killings last week. And now Colorado officials are looking to shore up policies on who should be given access to body camera footage in the event of an incident in the state.

As Colorado Public Radio reports, dozens of Colorado police departments have adopted body cameras amid heightening tensions between civilians and sworn officers. However, some departments have said they will only release videos to people who have a "legitimate" reason to view it.

This policy concerns transparency advocates. They say the approach to sharing the encounters the cameras capture is worrisome. But Colorado Springs Police Sgt. Tim Stankey insists there’s no reason for concern. He said, “to withhold records—that creates suspicion and undermines [the] very purpose” of the cameras.