State Funding For Arizona DPS Body Cameras Moves Ahead In The Legislature Despite Opposition

Published: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - 8:20am
Updated: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - 8:33am

A bill, HB 2461, moving through the Arizona Legislature would approve $1.5 million in state funding for Arizona Department of Public Safety body cameras through 2026. 

Sen. David Gowan (R-Sierra Vista) added an amendment that would limit the release of certain body camera footage. 

"A videotape of you incurring with a police officer [who has] a video camera on, to have that be available to anyone on Earth is what we’re trying to prevent here, unless it’s a criminal act," Gowan said.

However, the amendment is troubling to some members, including Sen. Lela Alston (D-Phoenix), who thinks there needs to be more transparency. She did vote to move the bill along saying she hopes to "take care" of the amendment later in the process. 

The measure heads to the Senate Rules Committee.

Politics