Legislation is moving quickly in the Pennsylvania General Assembly that would allow police to use body-mounted cameras whenever they choose. Although the recording of police interactions with the public can provide more accountability, this bill does not adequately safeguard citizens’ privacy.

Urge your legislators to vote NO on police body cameras without better privacy protections.

This bill does not include a requirement that cameras remain on during an incident. Without that requirement, officers can power off the camera to avoid recording specific incidents they don’t want the public or their chief to see.

The bill has no provision on the retention and destruction of data. Police departments could retain video data indefinitely, allowing the government to hold an intrusive amount of information about a person’s daily activity.

This legislation has been rushed through by the General Assembly without a hearing and with very little serious consideration. Urge your legislators to vote against violating Pennsylvanians’ privacy.

SOURCE: American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania