REFERENCE TITLE: peace officers; camera requirement

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-second Legislature

First Regular Session

2015

 

 

HB 2511

 

Introduced by

Representative Bolding

 

 

AN ACT

 

amending title 38, chapter 8, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 38‑1115; relating to peace officers.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Title 38, chapter 8, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 38-1115, to read:

START_STATUTE38-1115.  Peace officer cameras; attorney general guidelines; definition

A.  Every peace officer shall wear a camera that electronically records audio and video while the officer is engaged in the performance of official duties that are likely to result in a criminal investigation or arrest.

B.  The attorney general shall establish guidelines or directives, as appropriate, to implement and enforce this section.

C.  For the purposes of this section, "peace officer" has the same meaning prescribed in section 1‑215. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.  Peace officer body camera study committee; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal

A.  The peace officer body camera study committee is established consisting of the following members:

1.  One police chief of a police department in this state who is appointed by the governor.

2.  One member who is a representative of the attorney general's office and who is appointed by the attorney general.

3.  One person who is a member of a statewide police association who is appointed by the governor.

4.  Two attorneys who are members of the state bar and who are appointed by the governor.

7.  Two public members who are residents of this state and who are appointed by the governor.

B.  The members shall select a chairperson from among the membership.

C.  The study committee shall research and report on the effectiveness and training of using peace officer body cameras in this state.

D.  The peace officer body camera study committee may:

1.  Request information, data and reports from any county or state agency or political subdivision of this state.  If possible, information shall be provided electronically.

2.  Hold hearings, conduct fact-finding tours and take testimony from witnesses, including participants in the criminal justice system, who may assist the committee in fulfilling its responsibilities.

E.  On the request of the peace officer body camera study committee, an agency of this state shall provide to the committee its services, equipment, documents, personnel and facilities to the extent possible without cost to the committee.

F.  The legislature shall provide staff and support services to the committee.

G.  The committee shall meet at the state capitol or at other places as the chairperson deem necessary or convenient, and all meetings shall be open to the public.

H.  Members of the study committee are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

I.  On or before December 31, 2015, the study committee shall submit a report regarding its findings and recommendations to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate and provide a copy of its report to the secretary of state.  The report shall include the committee's recommendations regarding the use peace officer body cameras in this state.

J.  This section is repealed from and after June 30, 2016.