Ellington Tried Cop Camera Again December 1, 2015

Kansas City St Rep Brandon Ellington is trying to get his body camera for police officers passed again.
Ellington re-filed his bill on the first day bills could be filed for the 2016 session.
” Mandatory body cameras will protect the public by discouraging bad behavior by police and providing evidence when it does occur. But cameras also will protect police against false claims, Ellington said in a news release.
In the bill, officers would not have to wear the cameras on undercover operations.

Cop Cameras Comes Up Again in Kansas November 2, 2015

(AP) – Kansas lawmakers will again take up the question of whether to require all law enforcement officers to wear body cameras after a similar proposal failed to gain traction last session.

Rep. John Rubin, a Shawnee Republican, will hold a legislative hearing next week on the issue. He supports police body cameras but acknowledged several things must be resolved, such as whether to require all levels of law enforcement to use them, how to pay for the cameras and outlining rules for storing and accessing recordings, the Kansas City Star reported (http://bit.ly/1OfqQj4 ).

Proposals to require body cameras for law enforcement became widespread after the August 2014 fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. The officer was not wearing a camera.

“I see this as a win-win for everybody,” said Rubin, who thinks cameras help the public and reduce misconduct allegations against police.

Sen. David Haley, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, believes officers should wear cameras and always have them on while interacting with the public. He said the videos should be kept for 90 days and that privacy issues could be resolved.

KCK, Wichita, Dodge City Get Federal Money for Police Body Cameras September 21, 2015

(AP) – The federal government has awarded grants for law enforcement body cameras to Wichita, Dodge City and Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Monday the U.S. Justice Department grants are among $23.2 million awarded to 73 law enforcement agencies in 32 states to increase the use of body cameras. President Barack Obama has proposed buying 50,000 body cameras for law enforcement agencies in three years.

Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, will receive $352,500; Wichita will get $250,000 and Dodge City will receive $45,205.

Kansas Considers Cop Cameras January 29, 2015

(AP) – Kansas lawmakers may require police officers to wear body cameras under a bill discussed by a state Senate panel.

The Senate Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee heard testimony Thursday on a measure that would require police officers to wear body cameras and continually record their activities and interactions.

Portions of video relevant to investigations, official complaints or the use of force would be stored for three years.

Community activists argued that the move would ensure greater transparency and public safety. However, some committee members expressed worry that smaller police departments would be unable to afford the cameras and manage the footage.