Body Cameras

583 Words2 Pages

The article by Elida S. Perez discusses the Police Union’s push back on body cameras in El Paso, Texas. Perez states the denial of El Paso Police Department to equip body cameras because they believe other funding priorities and privacy concerns must be addressed. Some of the top funding priorities that Perez states are “hiring more police officers, buying new police cars, and updating radios”(par. 5). In addition, the police union is also concerned over unfair disciplinary actions against the police officers because of any camera malfunctions. She added an example that explained El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association President Ron Martin’s statement, “sometimes emergency situations unfold so quickly that an officer may not have time to turn on the camera, which he fears may be seen as an attempt to hide what occurred” (par. …show more content…

Perez added how other police departments have added the body cameras, as she includes positive comments by Police Chiefs such as Horizon City Police Chief Mike McConnell comment saying “the video camera helps the officer, it doesn’t hurt because the officer should be doing the right thing” (par. 18). The author stated how activist groups argue for the implementation of the cameras for El Paso police department. By approving the body camera the human rights groups push to strengthen the safety of the area as the director of the group Fernando Garcia said “El Paso is one of the safest cities because area law enforcement engages with the community” he added that “body-worn cameras would strengthen that relationship by showing accountability and transparency” (par. 21). Perez adds credibility to the article by mentioning current officials such as Chief Deputy Sherriff Tom Whitten, Horizon City Police Chief Mike McConnell, and the Assistant of El Paso Police Chief, Patrick

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