Petitioning U.S. Senate and 1 other
Pass the Police CAMERA Act
Anthony Scott United States
My family was devastated when we watched the video of my brother Walter Scott being shot in the back by a South Carolina police officer as he ran away -- unarmed. We felt some justice when we saw that officer charged with murder. But we're haunted to know that if a civilian hadn't captured Walter's killing on camera, the officer would have gotten away with murder.
The officer who killed Walter wasn't wearing a body camera. Had he been wearing one that was recording his actions, he might not have chosen to commit murder knowing that he'd be held accountable. Studies have shown that when police officers wear body cameras, they're less likely to use force. I think we need more police officers wearing cameras nationwide.
That's why I'm calling on Congress to pass the Police CAMERA Act of 2015, a bipartisan bill that would create a pilot grant program to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with purchasing or leasing body-worn cameras.
Police departments all over the country are starting to adopt body cameras. But because of funding concerns, some aren’t able to. The Police CAMERA Act would help them adopt this new technology and help to create the best standards and policies for their use. It's essential to not only help victims like Walter, but they will also protect police officers.
Walter was only 50 years old. He was a good man who served in the Coast Guard and had four children. He didn't deserve to be killed -- shot at 8 times as he ran away -- and nothing we can do will bring him back in our lives.
But we can help prevent this from happening to other families, so please sign my petition asking Congress to pass the Police CAMERA Act of 2015.
https://www.change.org/p/congress-p..._paI/3Te0W4I1eS0RoJXPCA5WO0HHi+7RLC6JXpHog5w=