California is taking a bold step to increase police transparency. Assemblymember Phil Ting says a new law going into effect July 1st will require law enforcement officials to release body-cam footage 45 days after a critical incident.
A critical incident is defined as any case where an officer firing their weapon causes death or great bodily harm. AB 748 allows a 30-day delay if the recordings interfere with an active investigation. Sponsors of the bill say public access to body camera images are key to repairing police-community relations and can even help exonerate officers in question.