The bill amends existing law to strengthen the presumption of bad faith for peace officers who fail to comply with the policies and procedures regarding the use of body-worn cameras. Specifically, it establishes that peace officers who knowingly or intentionally do not adhere to these policies shall be presumed to have acted in bad faith and shall be deemed liable for intentional spoliation of evidence. This change emphasizes accountability among law enforcement personnel in the use of body-worn cameras, which are required to be activated during interactions with the public and must be retained for a specified duration.

Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "law enforcement agency" to include police departments of public post-secondary educational institutions, thereby ensuring that these agencies are also subject to the same body-worn camera requirements. The legislation outlines specific policies that must be adopted by law enforcement agencies, including the activation and retention of recordings, as well as disciplinary measures for non-compliance. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices related to body-worn cameras.

Statutes affected:
JU substitute: 29-1-18