There were 101 people killed at the hands of police in June 2022. More than a year later, police had released body-camera footage of only 33 of those killings, ProPublica has found.

At least 1,201 people were killed in 2022 by law enforcement officers, about 100 deaths a month, according to Mapping Police Violence, a nonprofit research group that tracks police killings. ProPublica examined the 101 deaths that occurred in June 2022, a time frame chosen because enough time had elapsed that investigations could reasonably be expected to have concluded. The cases involved 131 law enforcement agencies in 34 states.

In 79 of those deaths, ProPublica confirmed that body-worn camera video exists. But more than a year later, authorities or victims’ families had released the footage of only 33 incidents.

Philadelphia signed a $12.5 million contract in 2017 to equip its entire police force with cameras. Since then, at least 27 people have been killed by Philadelphia police, according to Mapping Police Violence, but in only two cases has body-camera video been released to the public.

ProPublica’s review shows that withholding body-worn camera footage from the public has become so entrenched in some cities that even pleas from victims’ families don’t serve to shake the video loose.

  • Katana314@lemmy.worldEnglish
    48·
    11 months ago

    If nothing else, the lack of shown footage should be shifting some mindsets about police.

    “What a load of criminals complaining about everything. Obviously, our boys in blue would never do anything suspect, as you’ll see now that they can show you footage of their own perfectly orderly arrests.”
    “They all keep their cameras off and never turn over body cam footage.”
    “B-…huh? But…they’re noble protectors that have nothing to hide…! Why would they…?”