Members of Baltimore’s city council introduced legislation Monday that would require the city’s police officers to wear a body camera.
If signed, the bill would require approximately 3,000 officers to wear a body camera “within a year,” according to the Baltimore Sun.
The bill, which is less than two pages long, would allow the Police Department to phase in the cameras over a year. But it does not address the cost of purchasing the cameras, privacy concerns when it comes to recording people in or out of their homes, and details of implementation, [Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake] said.
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Rawlings-Blake said she is not against the idea but thinks the issue needs more study. The mayor’s office estimates it could cost up to $10 million to comply with the bill.
“In many jurisdictions, it has increased the professionalism of police officers,” Councilman Warren Branch told the Baltimore Sun. “It’s a win-win situation, not only for the citizens’ safety but also the officers’ safety.”
