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Legislators consider body cameras

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This summer a legislative committee is studying a bill to require New Hampshire state police to wear body cameras.

Supporters of body cameras generally argue that cameras reduce conflicts between citizens and the police by creating an indisputable record of police interactions with the public. Body camera recordings can also provide valuable evidence in criminal cases.

However, body cameras also create concerns about privacy, for example when a police officer is interviewing a victim or entering an individual’s home. In New Hampshire, courts are considering whether or not to publicly release graphic body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting in Bath.

A final concern is the cost of buying cameras and managing the recordings. The New Hampshire Department of Safety estimates that body cameras would cost $472,400 in the first year and roughly $255,000 each year thereafter. The state could cover those costs by applying for grants and/or raising fines.

The federal Office of Justice Programs conducted a review of research on police body cameras. They found only five empirical studies, and concluded that there was still not enough evidence to decide if police body cameras are a wise investment.

Do you think police should wear body cameras?  CLICK HERE to read what the LFDA community had to say about the issue, and add your own comments.

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