Public has a right to access police body camera footage under New York law

On Thursday, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and a coalition of news media organizations moved to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association seeking to prevent the release of police body camera footage of New York City law enforcement officers.

Bruce Brown, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, made the following statement:

“Police body cameras can only help foster transparency and accountability if the press and public are able to access and report on footage from them. Claiming these videos cannot be disclosed is counter to the purpose of this technology: Empowering public oversight to help establish trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.”

Read the filings here.