Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Lawmakers Approve Releasing Police Video 45 Days After An Officer Shooting

  •  Ben Bradford 
Friday, August 31, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

Demonstrators engage with police officers at a protest in downtown Sacramento over the death of Stephon Clark.

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

California lawmakers have agreed to crack open the files when a police shooting occurs.

Two measures passed by the Legislature late Friday night would require the release of body camera footage and records related to shootings and deadly use-of-force incidents.

One bill would require video and audio from police body cameras and other law-enforcement recordings be released within 45 days of incidents — but only in cases where an officer fires a weapon, or kills or severely injures another person.

The measure, sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union and the California News Publishers Association, also allows law enforcement agencies to redact or withhold videos: if they can prove doing so outweighs the public interest of release, if the contents could impede an investigation or if it would violate someone’s privacy rights.

Despite those caveats, the measure would set the first definitive statewide disclosure standards for when departments must release body camera footage, after a series of bills have failed to pass over the last four years, amid opposition from law enforcement groups.

“This bill is a good bill,” said Democratic Asm. Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “This bill actually protects our men and women in law enforcement from specious claims. It limits liability and saves many of our cities from exorbitant cost of defending such claims.”

Law enforcement groups disagree with that assessment. The state’s police, sheriff and district attorneys associations all oppose it, while civil liberties and media groups support the measure. 

“I think the advent of body cameras has created a very serious and substantive issue with respect to both the privacy of the public and of law enforcement personnel,” Republican Asm. Jay Obernolte said. “When we try and jam through this kind of legislation late in the session mistakes happen.”

The measure contains a drafting error, which proponents acknowledge is too late to fix, under recent changes to the legislative process adopted by voters in 2016. A provision of the bill contains a typo, calling for release of audio or video in cases where it would violate privacy or impede an investigation. The measure’s supporters say lawmakers can fix that language next year, before the new disclosure rules take effect in July.

Another measure would require disclosure of investigative records after a police shooting, use-of-force incident resulting in death or severe harm, or if an officer commits sexual assault, perjury or evidence tampering.

It also allows some delays in the release of the records, based on active lawsuits or investigations.

Both bills now head to Gov. Jerry Brown. 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Ben Adler / CapRadio

    California District Attorneys Urge Governor Jerry Brown To Veto Two Crime Bills

    Thursday, September 6, 2018
    One of the measures would prohibit all 14- and 15-year-old criminal defendants from being tried as adults.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Police Records In California Rarely See Light Of Day, But Lawmakers Could Soon Change That

    Monday, August 13, 2018
    California lawmakers are poised to change the rules governing the release of police records as this year’s legislative session moves into its final weeks, due in part to the Sacramento police shooting earlier this year of Stephon Clark.

Ben Bradford

Former State Government Reporter

As the State Government Reporter, Ben covered California politics, policy and the interaction between the two. He previously reported on local and state politics, business, energy, and environment for WFAE in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Read Full Bio 

 @JBenBradford Email Ben Bradford

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

May 19, 2022

California 2022 primary voter FAQ

May 19, 2022

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

The Great Culling: Which California bills did legislators kill?

May 20, 2022

Most Viewed

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

'SNL' sends off longtime cast members

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

1 killed, 8 wounded in shooting at Southern California party

Dear Life Kit: Is a recital really more important than my wedding?

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

'SNL' sends off longtime cast members

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

1 killed, 8 wounded in shooting at Southern California party

Dear Life Kit: Is a recital really more important than my wedding?

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.