The House today approved legislation from Rep. Beau LaFave to require Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers to wear a body-worn camera while on duty.
“The lack of equipment for documenting encounters with the public can lead to many ‘he-said, she-said’ scenarios,” said LaFave, of Iron Mountain. “Currently, DNR officers do not wear body cameras while interacting with the public.”
House Bill 4969 specifically amends the Conservation Officer Duties and Privileges Act by requiring DNR officers to wear a body camera while enforcing laws.
Other law enforcement agencies already utilize body cameras and other recording equipment for documenting encounters with the public.
“We should hold DNR officers to the same standards,” LaFave said. “It’s time to upgrade and equip the DNR with 21st-century technology.”
Since the 1960s, in-car dash cameras have been standard use for law enforcement. Within the past decade, body-worn cameras have become more and more popular with law enforcement and the public. Those who have begun utilizing the body-worn cameras have found that cameras provide a layer of protection for everybody.
“This legislation, if signed, will save the taxpayers money by disproving frivolous lawsuits earlier, and will reduce negative interactions between law enforcement and citizens.” said LaFave. “In my experience, unless you’re a politician, everyone behaves better when the cameras are on.”
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