No State Funding Available For Police Body Cams

In the wake of the national debate over alleged police brutality, there are renewed talks at the state Capitol in Lansing about placing body cameras on police officers around Michigan.

Some lawmakers are pushing for it, but others indicate the money is not there to do it.

State Senate Democrat Bert Johnson of Highland Park says there’s evidence suggesting that body cameras lessen the incidents of police brutality and exonerates a lot of police officers. They can also work to protect the public when the police get it wrong.

But Republican House Appropriation Committee chair Al Pscholka says there’s no extra money in the general fund and he doesn’t see police body cameras statewide happening in Michigan without federal money.

In addition to legislation to supply the police with body cameras, there is a companion bill to keep all of the video out of the hands of the public. But House Democrat Jeff Irwin of Ann Arbor argues that if the video is gathered with tax dollars, it should be available to the public.

Governor Snyder did not include police camera money in his budget proposal. He says he supports the concept but on a pilot basis.