Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) have been in use by law enforcement well in excess of a dozen years. Why are state legislatures still struggling to get BWC laws right? We saw virtually no laws enacted in the early years of implementation. Slowly, legislatures began to realize they needed to set some uniform BWC guidelines. Depending on the state, these ran the gamut from overly broad guidance to detailed and specific requirements. Many of these came with unfunded mandates. Laws were enacted, in some cases resulting in negative consequences, and many were revised over time. How much state law enforcement agency leaders or associations were consulted on the development of these laws varied from state to state.
Now here we are in 2025 and the State of Arkansas is dealing with this exact issue. A state legislator wants to enact a law that would require all law enforcement officers in the state to wear a BWC, that they be activated on every "official interaction" between an officer and a member of the public, and "promulgate" rules to implement the law. State bill HB1219 can be reviewed here. This is an excellent example of the inqdequately thought out legislation that has occassionaly been enacted around the country over the years, often with unintended cosequences. The bill, as currently written, is overly broad. I find it hard to believe that someone on the legislator's staff didn't do basic research or, apparently, consult with state law enforcement leadership, associations, or independent consultants. Law enforcement leaders in the state are speaking out against the bill. Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery addressed the issue in an article and interview on ktlo.com. I'm going to assume that the legislator was well-intending with this proposed law. Unfortunately, as has happened happened before... great concept, poor execution. I hope it gets sorted out before it becomes law.
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