HB 2015 - Mandatory body cameras for SWAT

[Papa_Tiger]

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Hi ... ill=HB2015

Seems like a reaction to the raid in Houston.

[WTR]

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Hi ... ill=HB2015

Seems like a reaction to the raid in Houston.

How about mandatory body cameras for all Police Officers. No matter what the assignment.

[joe817]

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Hi ... ill=HB2015

Seems like a reaction to the raid in Houston.

How about mandatory body cameras for all Police Officers. No matter what the assignment.

This! ^^^^

[PriestTheRunner]

That bill goes much farther than just mandating cameras.

I think its fantastic.

Full text:

Art.A2.1371.AAPROVISION OF BODY CAMERAS TO SPECIAL TEAMS. A
department may not create or administer a Special Weapons and
Tactics team or unit unless every officer on that unit is equipped
with a body camera and the department has instituted policies and
procedures to ensure that body cameras are turned on and recording
during all unit action and remain on until the action is concluded
by the arrest of all persons or at the time that all police
personnel have left the premises. Body camera video shall
otherwise be governed by Occupations Code Art. 1701.655 and
...
Art.A2.1383.AASTANDARDS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL WEAPONS
AND TACTICS TEAMS (SWAT). (a) In this article, a "Special Weapons
and Tactics team" is defined as a designated team of law enforcement
officers who are specifically trained and equipped to work as a
coordinated team to respond to critical incidents, including, but
not limited to, hostage taking, barricaded suspects, snipers,
terrorist acts, and other high-risk incidents, regardless of the
name an agency gives to such team.
(b)AAA department administering a Special Weapons and
Tactics team shall institute policies designed to limit the
deployment of that team to situations involving an imminent threat
of serious bodily injury to civilians or officers. The
determination to deploy a
...
Sp
create a form for use by departments for reporting to the local
governing body, which may require additional reporting, but the
report must include at least the following information about
Special Weapons and Tactics Team ’s:
(1)AAthe date on which the team was deployed;
(2)AAthe location where the incident occurred;
(3)AAthe specific reason for the deployment including a
short description of the evidence of ongoing violent conduct
including the existence of a tip by an undercover or anonymous
informant;
(4)AAa listing of military or forcible entry equipment
used, if any;
(4)AAif known, the age, gender, and race or ethnicity of
each injured or deceased person involved in the incident;
(5)AAa list of any controlled substances, weapons,
contraband, or evidence of crime found on the premises or any
individuals;
(6)AAwhether any person used, exhibited, or was
carrying a deadly weapon during the incident;
(8)AAwhether the incident occurred as a result of a drug
investigation.
(9)AAthe training received by the SWAT team
collectively and for the SWAT officers individually.
...
a person whose arrest or detention is the result
of a Special Weapons And Tactics operation, or an immediate family
member of a person who suffered serious bodily injury or died as a
result of a Special Weapons and Tactics operation is entitled to
receive from a law enforcement agency employing the peace officer
or officers who made the stop or arrest or conducted the operation a
copy of [any] all video or audio recordings made by or at the
direction of the officer that [contains footage of] recorded:
(1)AAthe stop or other police action;
(2)AAthe arrest;
(3)AAthe conduct of the person [stopped] during any
interaction with the officer, including during the administration
of a field sobriety test; or
(4)AAa procedure in which a specimen of the person ’s
breath or blood is taken.
...

[O.F.Fascist]

Sounds like a good bill, when you explain it to others, there are three keys points.

Body Cameras required.

A department may not create or administer a Special Weapons and Tactics team or unit unless every officer on that unit is equipped with a body camera and the department has instituted policies and procedures to ensure that body cameras are turned on and recording during all unit action and remain on until the action is concluded by the arrest of all persons or at the time that all police personnel have left the premises.

The presence of a legal firearm can't be the only excuse for a SWAT use.

A department administering a Special Weapons and Tactics team shall institute policies designed to limit the deployment of that team to situations involving an imminent threat of serious bodily injury to civilians or officers. The determination to deploy a Special Weapons and Tactics team shall be based on consideration of evidence for an imminent threat to a persons or officers, and that the conditions are such that the suspect cannot reasonably be apprehended using routine methods.

The existence alone of a legally owned gun in the home of an individual does not constitute evidence of an imminent threat.

A captain or above has to sign off on using SWAT for a warrant.

When SWAT is deployed for a pre-planned warrant service or for an incident not involving ongoing violence, the basis for believing an imminent threat exists should be reviewed and approved by a supervisor at the level of Captain or above before the deployment, to include justification for warrant execution between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

[Grumpy1993]

If the legislature wants to restore Texans' faith in law enforcement, they will make the body camera videos available through the Texas Public Information Act.

"Texans have a right to know how their government is spending their tax dollars and exercising the powers granted by the people. Transparency and open decision-making are fundamental principles of the Texas Public Information Act, and they are essential to ensuring continued trust and confidence in officials and our government." - Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Maybe this law should be named after the unfortunate 2 citizens who lost their lives in Houston on Hardy St., or was it Harding St.? <sarcasm>.

SIA

[O.F.Fascist]

On another forum a few people claiming to be law enforcement argued against body cams for SWAT because releasing the video would be violation of the privacy of the home of the individuals raided.

If the legislature wants to restore Texans' faith in law enforcement, they will make the body camera videos available through the Texas Public Information Act.

"Texans have a right to know how their government is spending their tax dollars and exercising the powers granted by the people. Transparency and open decision-making are fundamental principles of the Texas Public Information Act, and they are essential to ensuring continued trust and confidence in officials and our government." - Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas

[PriestTheRunner]

On another forum a few people claiming to be law enforcement argued against body cams for SWAT because releasing the video would be violation of the privacy of the home of the individuals raided.

Ahh, privacy concerns when your home is being invaded by strangers! Makes total sense.... LOL