Georgia Legislation Aims to Tighten Access to Police Video and Photos
In a move to regulate the accessibility of police media, the Georgia House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee has unanimously endorsed a bill that seeks to impose stricter requirements for obtaining police body cam footage and booking photos.
Senate Bill 482, backed by Senator Brian Strickland, proposes that requests for police media must be submitted in person with notarized documentation, rather than through electronic means. This measure aims to ensure that such media is treated as a serious resource rather than entertainment. “Body camera footage and mugshots are not entertainment, they’re news,” Strickland emphasized, highlighting the importance of preserving these records for open access without commercial exploitation.
The bill also stipulates that requesters must specifically identify the individuals featured in the footage or images. This change is intended to enhance transparency regarding who is obtaining these materials. Strickland noted, “We will know exactly who is getting mugshot images. We’ll know exactly who is getting body camera footage. We will ease the burden off of our law enforcement at the same time when it comes to how these requests are made.”
While accredited media outlets would not be subject to these new requirements, the proposed legislation has faced criticism from various quarters. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia, represented by Sarah Hunt Blackwell, has voiced concerns about the restrictions. “The ACLU of Georgia generally opposes the law enforcement video restrictions, in part because of how it can significantly impair access to videos of officer-involved shootings and other potential misconduct made by law enforcement,” Hunt Blackwell stated.
Additionally, some news organizations have expressed apprehension that these changes could hinder their operations, particularly for outlets that might struggle to meet the new in-person request criteria.
