Detroit City Council Proposes Ordinance to Release Police Footage, Critics Say It's Weak and Riddled with Exemptions.
The proposed ordinance requires the Detroit Police Department to release some police footage on a publicly accessible website within 30 days of an incident. However, critics argue that the measure still allows for too many loopholes and exemptions that would protect officers from scrutiny.
Under the proposed ordinance, footage can be withheld if it involves a joint task force, violates the police union contract, or if city lawyers believe it could hurt Detroit in a civil lawsuit. Additionally, the police department is allowed to edit the footage before releasing it, which critics say could lead to a "narrative" being presented that hides the truth.
Activists are also calling for more transparency and greater accountability from law enforcement. Victoria Camille, who is running for a seat on the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, argues that police video footage belongs to Detroiters as taxpayers and should not be subject to editing or manipulation before it's released.
The Coalition for Police Transparency and Accountability has proposed an alternative ordinance that would require the city to release all unedited video, audio, and police reports related to any use of force or pursuit within seven days. The city could delay the release for up to 30 days only if prosecutors or investigators provide a written public explanation citing specific legal reasons.
Critics say that the proposed ordinance is too weak and would not provide sufficient transparency and accountability from law enforcement. They argue that it allows for too many exemptions and loopholes, which could protect officers from scrutiny and undermine trust in the police department.
The Detroit Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression has called on city council members to strengthen the ordinance and eliminate the exemptions that critics say are too broad. The group argues that the current ordinance is "riddled with holes" and would not provide sufficient transparency or accountability for law enforcement.
As the proposal moves forward, it remains unclear whether it will be passed in its current form or if changes will be made to strengthen the ordinance. One thing is certain, however: Detroit residents are calling for greater transparency and accountability from law enforcement, and it's up to city council members to ensure that their voices are heard.
The proposed ordinance requires the Detroit Police Department to release some police footage on a publicly accessible website within 30 days of an incident. However, critics argue that the measure still allows for too many loopholes and exemptions that would protect officers from scrutiny.
Under the proposed ordinance, footage can be withheld if it involves a joint task force, violates the police union contract, or if city lawyers believe it could hurt Detroit in a civil lawsuit. Additionally, the police department is allowed to edit the footage before releasing it, which critics say could lead to a "narrative" being presented that hides the truth.
Activists are also calling for more transparency and greater accountability from law enforcement. Victoria Camille, who is running for a seat on the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, argues that police video footage belongs to Detroiters as taxpayers and should not be subject to editing or manipulation before it's released.
The Coalition for Police Transparency and Accountability has proposed an alternative ordinance that would require the city to release all unedited video, audio, and police reports related to any use of force or pursuit within seven days. The city could delay the release for up to 30 days only if prosecutors or investigators provide a written public explanation citing specific legal reasons.
Critics say that the proposed ordinance is too weak and would not provide sufficient transparency and accountability from law enforcement. They argue that it allows for too many exemptions and loopholes, which could protect officers from scrutiny and undermine trust in the police department.
The Detroit Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression has called on city council members to strengthen the ordinance and eliminate the exemptions that critics say are too broad. The group argues that the current ordinance is "riddled with holes" and would not provide sufficient transparency or accountability for law enforcement.
As the proposal moves forward, it remains unclear whether it will be passed in its current form or if changes will be made to strengthen the ordinance. One thing is certain, however: Detroit residents are calling for greater transparency and accountability from law enforcement, and it's up to city council members to ensure that their voices are heard.
. I mean, it’s about time we see some transparency from our police department, especially after all the high-profile incidents and protests in Detroit 
. But at the same time, critics have valid points - too many loopholes and exemptions can definitely undermine trust in the system 
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. I mean, if they're gonna release footage, let's see the unedited version, no editing or manipulation, just the truth 
. It’s not too much to ask for.
. We need to rebuild trust between law enforcement and our community, and this ordinance is a good start 
.
. I mean, what's the point of even having a public website where police footage can just be edited before releasing? It's like they're trying to control the narrative 
. And don't even get me started on the exemptions - joint task forces, police union contracts... it's like they're worried about getting sued or something 
. I think Victoria Camille is right on point with this one - police video footage should be released in its unedited form, period 
. Come on, city council members, don't just go through the motions - strengthen this ordinance already! 
We need to make sure we're holding our cops accountable without putting them in a position where they feel railroaded.
. Like, what even is a "joint task force" supposed to mean? 
. Police video footage should be public domain, not subject to city lawyers or police unions 
. That's like, what, one per day? 
We need to know more about those incidents and how they were handled 
It shows that only 12% of police shootings result in charges being filed against the officer 
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. i'm with victoria camille on this one - if it's taxpayer money, we should get the unedited version 
its like they're trying to water down the whole thing so police can keep doing what they do without being held accountable 
. The city council should be stronger on this one and make sure we get the transparency and accountability we deserve 
. We need to see unedited videos and police reports to really understand what's going on, not some edited version that might give a different story 
but this proposed ordinance seems kinda watered down to me... like, I get why they want to protect the officers' union contract and whatnot, but can't we find a better way to do it? 
Still, it's a start, right? Maybe they can work out some loopholes and stuff so it's more effective? 
. we need more transparency and accountability from our law enforcement, not less 
. maybe if they're really committed to change, they should be open to revising the ordinance to make it stronger, rather than just watered-down version like this one 
the police have already shown time and time again that they can't be trusted to act in the best interest of the community we need real transparency here not some watered down version with loopholes galore 
. I mean, if they edit the footage before releasing it, you'll never get the full story 
. We need more transparency & accountability from law enforcement, not less 
this new proposed ordinance just feels like a step in the right direction but i'm still salty about all those loopholes and exemptions 
it's gotta be all or nothing, you know? 
. Like, releasing some police footage is better than nothing, but what if they edit the footage before we see it? That's like, totally gonna mess with our perception of what really went down 
.