Police body camera programs came about to help civilians and police officers hold each other accountable.
While cameras on their own would never herald an age of equitable and positive policing — institutional change is needed for that — many thought they would make sure people could see how the officers who are supposed to protect them acted while on the job.
In Charlotte, and in the rest of North Carolina, the state’s body camera program essentially becomes useless on Oct. 1.
In Charlotte, crucial information is missing from the investigation of Keith Scott’s death because an officer didn’t turn on his camera at the correct time. This mistake might allow a man’s already unnecessary death to never see justice.
A state law was passed over the summer that barred camera footage from becoming public record. This severely limits the public’s ability to access useful information.
While there are cases when privacy ought be respected in terms of police camera footage, this blanket law creates more problems than it solves.
It’s just another example on a long list of legislation coming from the North Carolina General Assembly that impedes on the rights citizens should be able to enjoy.
If Gov. McCrory and other leaders want us to believe the police are on our side and are not acting with malice, then show us proof.
We want to see it.
