PRINTER'S NO. 1262
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
113
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY RABB, CEPHAS, SANCHEZ, SHUSTERMAN, HILL-EVANS,
MADDEN, HOHENSTEIN, KINSEY, PARKER, FLEMING, FRANKEL AND
SCOTT, MAY 18, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MAY 18, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on how body-worn camera footage can be more effectively
used to provide positive and safe outcomes for both law
enforcement officers and civilians.
WHEREAS, Body-worn cameras have become more widely used by
law enforcement officers throughout the United States, including
policing and corrections; and
WHEREAS, A 2015 survey of 67 major cities and 76 major
counties found that 95% of law enforcement agencies had fully
operational body-worn camera programs or intended to implement a
full body-worn camera program; and
WHEREAS, A Bureau of Justice Statistics study found that 47%
of general-purpose law enforcement agencies and 80% of large
police departments had acquired body-worn cameras as of 2016, of
which 60% of local police departments and 49% of sheriffs'
offices had fully deployed their body-worn cameras; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Police began piloting the use
of body-worn cameras in 2018; and
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WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Police Department, the 4th largest
police department in the country, is continuing to work toward
fully deploying body-worn cameras over the next several years;
and
WHEREAS, It is important to ensure that body-worn camera
footage protects both law enforcement officers and civilians
during conflicts; and
WHEREAS, It is vital that body-worn camera footage be
available to the prosecution, defense and public as necessary to
aide in the speedy and just resolution of criminal cases; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that the data obtained by body-worn
camera footage be protected from cyber threats; and
WHEREAS, In 2017, Governor Tom Wolf signed a law that enabled
law enforcement officers to use body-worn cameras on the job
without risking illegal wiretapping or lawsuit charges; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is still lagging behind other
states in terms of law enforcement body-worn camera usage and
studies; and
WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers and agencies in this
Commonwealth face several obstacles concerning body-worn
cameras, including cost and usage of footage; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives believes that body-worn
camera footage could be used more effectively if all pieces of
footage, regardless of use in legal proceedings, were studied to
understand how they are used in the criminal justice system
throughout this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives acknowledges the
importance of body-worn camera footage being used for the safety
of law enforcement officers and residents of this Commonwealth;
therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on how body-worn
camera footage can be more effectively used to provide positive
and safe outcomes for both law enforcement officers and
civilians; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study
how and by whom body-worn camera footage is currently used and
stored in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include the cost of filming, storing
and looking at every piece of body-worn camera footage recorded
in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include recommendations to ensure
that body-worn camera footage is used for the justice of all and
shielded from cyber threats; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, as part
of its study, establish an advisory committee comprised of, but
not limited to, individuals who have expertise or experience in
one or more of the following fields, positions or situations:
(1) Criminal justice.
(2) Policing.
(3) Prosecution.
(4) Criminal defense.
(5) Corrections.
(6) Body-worn camera research.
(7) Law enforcement training.
(8) Racial justice.
(9) Psychology.
(10) Big data in criminal justice.
(11) Cyber security.
(12) Collective bargaining.
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(13) Algorithms in criminal justice.
(14) Ethics.
(15) Surveillance and facial recognition technology.
(16) Being involved in an incident where body-worn
camera footage was utilized;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives
within 120 days of the adoption of this resolution.
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