The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“INTRODUCTION OF THE ALLOWING BODY CAMERAS IN JOINT TASK FORCES ACT OF 2019” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E988 on July 25, 2019.
The Department is one of the oldest in the US, focused primarily on law enforcement and the federal prison system. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, detailed wasteful expenses such as $16 muffins at conferences and board meetings.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF THE ALLOWING BODY CAMERAS IN JOINT TASK FORCES ACT OF
2019
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HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
of the district of columbia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, Representative Donald S. Beyer, Jr. and I introduce the Allowing Body Cameras in Joint Task Forces Act of 2019. This bill would prohibit the federal government from refusing to work with local police departments that require their officers to wear body cameras. Our bill would apply to all federal agencies.
Under current policy, though it appears to be unwritten, the Department of Justice has been refusing to participate in task forces with local police departments that have body camera requirements.
The Justice Department has determined that 47 percent of police departments in the country have body cameras. It is beyond reason to prevent these numerous police agencies from participating in federal task forces if their officers wear body cameras. The federal government should be encouraging the use of officer body cameras instead of discouraging their use. This bill only applies to uniformed officers, which means federal officials could refuse to participate in task forces if body cameras are used during undercover operations.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
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