DALLAS – More than a dozen law-enforcement agencies and organizations across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex demonstrated their support for body-camera legislation in Texas. During a press conference Wednesday at Dallas Police headquarters, State Senator Royce West detailed Senate Bill 158 that he authored. The bill would provide grants for Texas law-enforcement agencies to purchase body-worn cameras. The comprehensive bill requires law-enforcement agencies to adopt a policy for the use of the cameras with training guidelines on when an officer should activate or discontinue a recording, as well as the storage of the video.

"I think the biggest issue is that of the actual policy. Then there are concerns related to privacy," explained Senator West. "SB158 protects the privacy rights of victims and witnesses of crimes. The bill has provisions that address the preservation of video evidence and also looks to protect the rights of police officers. I want to put together a statewide task force with law-enforcement officers, civil-rights representatives and the community so we can develop a strong policy."

More than a dozen law-enforcement agencies joined Senator West at the press conference to show their support for the body-camera bill. The Dallas Police Department has been field-testing body cameras and plans to order approximately 200 body cameras next year. "The Dallas Police Department supports the legislation. The technology is a great tool and a huge benefit to the public and the officer," said Dallas Police Chief David Brown. "The camera is not a panacea, but another tool. It is just as important for the police department to build trust through a relationship with the community."

The DeSoto Police Department has been using body cams since 2011, more than three years. "We have had great success with them," said DeSoto Police Chief Joseph Costa. "It limits frivolous complaints and it helps us to do our job better. We are ready to help any agency that needs assistance on how to deploy the use of the cameras."

Senator West estimated that it would cost between $50 to $70 million dollars to provide grants for body-mounted cameras across the state. Noting that President Barack Obama wants the federal government to assist with the cost of body-mounted cameras West said, "My goal is to get multiple funding sources to pay for the cameras; federal, state and local. Everyone has to have skin in the game."

In 2001, West introduced Senate Bill 1074 that provided $18.5 million in state funding to purchase 7,550 in-car/dashboard cameras for patrol cars across Texas. "Those cameras have reduced the number of frivolous complaints against police officers and helped to resolve disputes both in and out of courtrooms. And if a complaint does not wind up becoming a lawsuit, it also saves cities money," Senator West added.

Standing in support of the bill at the press conference were Lancaster Police Chief Cheryl Wilson, Dallas County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Marian Brown, Arlington Police Department Deputy Chief Os Flores, Cedar Hill Assistant Police Chief Rodney Thompson, Dallas Police Association President-Senior Corporal Ron Pinkston, Sgt. Cletus Judge with the Black Police Association, Sergeant David Guerra with the National Latino Peace Officers Association-Dallas Chapter, Patricia San Martino with the National Latino Law Enforcement Organization, Deputy John White with the Dallas County Peace Officers Association, and Constable Roy H. Williams, Jr. - Dallas County Pct. 4.

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