Relates to the use of body-worn cameras by New York state police officers; establishes the New York state police body-worn cameras program; requires the division of state police to provide body-worn cameras to be worn by all officers.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8674A
SPONSOR: Walker TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the use of body-worn
cameras by New York state police officers
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the use of body-worn
cameras by New York state police officers
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
In relation to the usage of body-worn cameras by New York State Police
patrol officers.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
1. The act shall be called the New York state police body-worn cameras
program.
2. The state police shall provide all officers on patrol with body-worn
cameras which shall be recording during all incidents listed in the
bill.
JUSTIFICATION:
Over the course of the last few years, there has been a national conver-
sation surrounding accountability, transparency, and a call for
increased transparency surrounding interactions with the members of the
public, and their respective law enforcement agencies. There have been
numerous cases, where the lack of video or audio recordings in alleged
cases of excessive force by law enforcement have led to a trust deficit
between communities and the police. As one of the largest state police
agencies in the country, the New York State police should also be one of
the first state police departments in the country, which promote
accountability with this measure. There are many studies, which have
been conducted, that show a direct correlation between the usage of
body-worn cameras and a drop in use of force incidents, and citizen's
complaints against police officers.
Most recently, the police department in Rialto, California, conducted a
study which showed that in the test period in which they enacted a poli-
cy for patrol officers to wear body-worn cameras, use of force inci-
dents, and citizen complaints dropped by 50 and 90 percent respectively.
This bill will mandate the New York State Police's Troopers to use body-
worn cameras while on patrol to promote accountability, and keep video
records of all interactions that Troopers have with individuals who are
stopped on suspicion of a crime, or a traffic violation.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become law. Effective immediately, the addi-
tion, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for
the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to
be made and completed on or before such effective date.
