Police unions back bill that questions validity of video

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A bill proposed in the Arizona Legislature challenges the notion that video evidence in police shootings and fights is foolproof.

Police unions want to make it a law for officers involved in a violent confrontation captured on body-worn camera to be read a scripted notice explaining that video depictions don’t always mirror reality and may differ from their memory.

Under SB1253, the notice also tells police not to feel obligated to explain any differences between the video and their memories of the event.

Jim Mann, executive director of the Fraternal Order of Police, said the proposed law would only apply to officers in administrative investigations, not criminal investigations.

Shootings and other use-of-force incidents generate an administrative investigation to see if the officer violated department policy. They also generate a criminal investigation in which the officer is typically considered a witness but can also be the subject.

Officers are compelled to provide statements in administrative investigations.

The scripted notice would be provided before the officer gives a statement. But it would be up to individual police departments to decide whether the officer gets to view the video before giving a statement.

Read the full story at AZ Capitol Times

Corrie O'Connor