This bill aims to strengthen the accountability of peace officers regarding the use of body-worn cameras by establishing a presumption of bad faith for those who knowingly or intentionally fail to comply with the relevant policies and procedures. Specifically, it amends the existing law to state that such officers "shall" be presumed to have acted in bad faith and "shall" be deemed liable for intentional spoliation of evidence. This change emphasizes the seriousness of non-compliance and the potential legal consequences for officers who do not adhere to established protocols.

Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "law enforcement agency" to include the police departments of public post-secondary educational institutions, thereby ensuring that these agencies are subject to the same body-worn camera requirements as other law enforcement entities. The legislation outlines specific policies that must be adopted by law enforcement agencies, including the mandatory activation of body-worn cameras during interactions with the public and the retention of recorded footage for a minimum of 120 days. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 29-1-18
JU substitute: 29-1-18