senate Bill S. 877
Are Federal Grants Needed to Help Police Departments Buy Body Cameras for Their Officers?
Argument in favor
Body cameras will help with evidence collection in addition to reducing the use of excessive force. It’s a positive for both the general public and police officers.
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07/17/2016
Since those of us in the dominant culture (like me) only really understood the extent of the abuse of minority communities by the police with the advent of cell phone videos & social media, it is essential that all police wear cameras. This is NOT an anti-police stance. There are good & bad people in all professions. I choose to believe that most police departments & individual officers mean to protect & serve but some clearly prey on the vulnerable. Being accountable protects all of us--including the police--from abuse of power & use of deadly force.
07/07/2016
As public officers, police do not have any reason for privacy while on duty. Also, data should never be destroyed once it is gathered. Technology needs to help keep the people that are governed safe against the minority of bad men in power
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07/07/2016
This a brilliant idea. This will hold everybody accountable. Even if the body camera dislodged in a struggle there are other officers body cameras and there's audio. This is common sense
Argument opposed
Body cameras threaten the privacy of citizens and police officers -- especially because there are no standard regulations (at the local or federal level) for how the camera data is stored, used, or destroyed.
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07/15/2016
I totally agree with Countable member "Operaman" on this issue! No federal grants and DEFINITELY no federalization of our police. At least 30 police departments have sold out to Obama for federal money. That means they have to kowtow to the POTUS. That is the way (or at least one way) to lose your sovereignty!
States, local governments, and individuals should guard their sovereignty assiduously! The Founding Fathers fought a bloody war to gain it. Why would any American want to support a feudal system or a Communist system?! Don't Americans value FREEDOM anymore?
I once said that federal grants come with strings attached; I was wrong. FEDERAL GRANTS COME WITH CHAINS AND SHACKLES ATTACHED!
FUND YOUR OWN POLICE OFFICERS!
07/11/2016
No Federal Grants. Policing is local. Obama's looking for a Federal Police Force answering to DHS.
Since those of us in the dominant culture (like me) only really understood the extent of the abuse of minority communities by the police with the advent of cell phone videos & social media, it is essential that all police wear cameras. This is NOT an anti-police stance. There are good & bad people in all professions. I choose to believe that most police departments & individual officers mean to protect & serve but some clearly prey on the vulnerable. Being accountable protects all of us--including the police--from abuse of power & use of deadly force.
I totally agree with Countable member "Operaman" on this issue! No federal grants and DEFINITELY no federalization of our police. At least 30 police departments have sold out to Obama for federal money. That means they have to kowtow to the POTUS. That is the way (or at least one way) to lose your sovereignty!
States, local governments, and individuals should guard their sovereignty assiduously! The Founding Fathers fought a bloody war to gain it. Why would any American want to support a feudal system or a Communist system?! Don't Americans value FREEDOM anymore?
I once said that federal grants come with strings attached; I was wrong. FEDERAL GRANTS COME WITH CHAINS AND SHACKLES ATTACHED!
FUND YOUR OWN POLICE OFFICERS!
No Federal Grants. Policing is local. Obama's looking for a Federal Police Force answering to DHS.
The municipality should pay for their own equipment and services.
As public officers, police do not have any reason for privacy while on duty. Also, data should never be destroyed once it is gathered. Technology needs to help keep the people that are governed safe against the minority of bad men in power
This a brilliant idea. This will hold everybody accountable. Even if the body camera dislodged in a struggle there are other officers body cameras and there's audio. This is common sense
When the federal government "establishes a grant program", it means our politicians are sticking their grubby hands in our pockets to take more of the money we earned through our labor. If local governments need body cameras, then they should divert it from their planned purchases of military surplus.
Federal money should not go into this. I do agree with the regulations on body camera usage, as they protect the privacy of citizens. However, these cameras don't need to go out en masse. If areas with police accountability programs want this implemented and want to pay for it, then go ahead.
Local funding. If that's what the citizens want they can fund themselves.
Why would you not want the American public to see what our law enforcement go through day to day! I think the public would be shocked at what they really see and how the public behavior! In stead of giving millions to the families who children that were shot will proof they didn't deserve a dime!
This is not a federal issue, the feds have tried to nationalize law enforcement under this POTUS then any other time, we must resist this push.
Part of the problem is that this money may go to sanctuary cities. Also the Feds need to stay out of local and state police. This probably comes with regulations. A no no.
The body cameras are for the people who do not trust our police officers. The distrust comes from brainwashing by their parents and the liberal news media. These same people want us to trust them but they have to learn that trust is a two way street. We are suppose to trust their opinions and version of what has happened but they don't have to trust or respect anyone else. Are there a few bad cops? Of course. Are there bad doctors, lawyers, brick layers, etc...? Of course.
Local police departments can buy their own cameras. Anytime the federal government is involved something will be screwed up.