D.C. Council wants to see public transparency for police body cameras – The Washington Post

dcogcadmin | July 1, 2015

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s effort to outfit District police officers with body cameras hit a fresh obstacle Tuesday, when council members tried to block implementation of the program next year unless she ensures public transparency.

The D.C. Council voted Tuesday on the final details of the city’s 2016 budget — and included an amendment dictating that Bowser’s rollout of 1,200 additional police body cameras move forward only if she finds an estimated $1.5 million to cover the cost of Freedom of Information Act requests for footage.

“The ball is in her court,” Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) said. “What we did is say it’s subject to appropriation.” The extra cost, he said, [Read More]