Rep. Greg Stanton’s bill to require all uniformed, on-duty U.S. Capitol Police officers to utilize body-worn cameras—introduced in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol—has been included as a part of the House’s larger measure to boost security at the complex.
The Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, introduced by House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro, includes $8.6 million to provide body cameras for Capitol Police officers whose job duties include interacting with the public.
“Disturbing body camera footage from Metro D.C. police officers taken during the January 6 attacks has been critical in identifying and holding insurrectionists to account,” said Stanton. “Overwhelming evidence shows that body-worn cameras also make interactions between police officers and the public safer, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to swiftly pass this bill.”
Informed by the recommendations of the Task Force 1-6 Capitol Security Review by senior retired military leaders and law enforcement experts, the package provides $1.9 billion to secure the safety of the Capitol, protect facilities, Members, employees, and visitors going forward, and provide for safe and healthy Congressional operations. The Capitol Security Review recommended body-worn cameras for USCP and noted their use to, “provide visual and audio evidence that can independently verify what happened in any given situation, leading to better investigations and prosecutions when needed.”
According to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, there’s “near-universal support” among American adults for police wearing body cameras.
The security supplemental is set for a vote on the House floor this Thursday.
A summary of the package is available HERE.
Full text of the package is available HERE.