Rep. Shevrin Jones’s bill to establish uniform standards for law enforcement agencies and the use of body cameras was signed into law Thursday. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily)
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Rep. Shevrin Jones’s bill to establish uniform standards for law enforcement agencies and the use of body cameras was signed into law Thursday.
Shevrin Jones
“I want to start by thanking my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, my constituents, and the law enforcement community for their support,” said Rep. Jones, D-West Park.
“I appreciate the unanimous support of my bill by my fellow members of the Legislature and the governor’s signature to make this law.”
The new law is effective immediately and will direct the state’s more than 300 law enforcement agencies in how they implement video recording.
The statewide procedures for body cameras are designed to protect both officers and citizens.
Experience in Florida and around the country has shown video recordings can be key to investigating incidents of great public concern.
More than 18 agencies around the state already use body cameras, and more are starting to do so. The law does not mandate their use, but is does set standards for training, data retention and ongoing policy review for those agencies that do choose to use the technology.
Rep. Jones worked for two years on his legislation, working with and gathering support of the Florida Sheriff’s Association, the Florida Police Benevolent Association and the Florida State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
“This will maintain the transparency we as a community crave and deserve,” Rep. Jones said.
“This bill is one that really hit home for me after the death of Corey Jones, and hopefully now that it has been signed by the governor, we can hear less about lives lost and more about the unity between law enforcement and the community. Thank you Governor Scott for believing in this vision.”
