Protections While in Police Custody (S. 719)

This bill would require law enforcement officers to activate audio and video recording while detaining people, regardless of whether the person is under arrest or not. The officer would also be required to inform the detained person that they are being detained, the reason they are being detained, and when they are free to leave. If the officer does not provide the detained person with the previously stated information, any statements the officer obtains would be inadmissible in court.

We support this bill because: Law enforcement officers should be required to inform a person of their rights when they are being detained. Law enforcement officers should also be held accountable when they break the law. By requiring police to record detentions, this bill would discourage police using unnecessary force and unconstitutional tactics on detainees.