Michigan House approves legislation establishing body camera guidelines

Runestad bill balances privacy rights, accountability

State Rep. Jim Runestad, of White Lake, said law enforcement agencies would have clear guidelines for the recordings made by police body cameras under legislation approved today by the Michigan House of Representatives.

The bill, sponsored by Runestad, establishes rules for retaining and releasing footage recorded on body cameras worn by law enforcement officers.

“Body cameras assist law enforcement officers in their daily operations, while increasing the public’s trust in officers and serving as a deterrent for violence against an officer,” Runestad said. “These guidelines give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to implement effective body-worn camera programs, while also ensuring that the people of Michigan can have confidence in those programs.”

Runestad said the bill would protect personal privacy rights by exempting any recordings made where someone should have a reasonable expectation of privacy from public disclosure.

“The legislation balances between two sets of interests – those of privacy and transparency – by stating that the video taken on a body-worn camera is not for public information if it is taken in a place with a reasonable expectation of privacy,” Runestad said. “Most other video is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.”

House Bill 4427 moves to the Senate for consideration.