Police shootings in the U.S. have taken over the national spotlight during the past year, triggering a rash of legislative proposals on the need for body-worn cameras. From bills that mandate police use of the technology, to others that set up policy guidelines for how the cameras should be used, the issue has exploded in state legislatures.
Thirty-six states are currently looking at approximately 100 bills related to body-worn cameras according to the Security Industry Association. And while many state legislative sessions are drawing to a close later this month, experts believe the topic will continue to be a hot one for the foreseeable future, particularly as the number of fatalities from police gunshots nears 400 this year.
“The big question is whether this is something that has to do with recent events and is not really a long-term trend, or whether we’ll see every officer on duty have one of these devices within 10 years,” said Jake Parker, director of government relations for the Security Industry Association. “If the latter is true, there’s going to be a lot more activity.”
