STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. Reginald Bolding, D-Phoenix (District 27), is urging police departments across the state to use a new online body-worn camera toolkit recently published by Arizona State University professors.
Bolding is a vocal advocate for the use of body-worn cameras.
Earlier this year, Bolding introduced a bill, HB 2511, that would have required local and state law enforcement officers to wear body cameras while on duty, to ensure both their own safety and the safety of the communities they protect. It would have also established a study committee for law enforcement officer use of body-worn cameras. While Bolding’s bill did not pass, the Legislature did approve a Senate bill that created a study committee similar to the one Bolding proposed. Bolding said he expects the committee will recommend the use of the new toolkit.
“The practice of wearing body cameras speaks directly to the safety and accountability needs of both community members and law enforcement officers,” Bolding said. He added that he intends to offer a bill to require the use of body-worn cameras again next year.
To see a full version of HB 2511, go to http://www.azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=2511&Session_Id=114&image.x=0&image.y=0.