Legislative Findings and Intent

(a)I Liheslaturan Guåhan finds that body-worn cameras are video and audio recording devices that police, sheriff and highway patrol officers wear as part of their uniforms to document what they observe as CH. 77 GUAM POLICE DEPARTMENT they perform their duties. Body-worn cameras continue to be a popular focus for state and city lawmakers as they consider and enact legislation to address police-community relations.

(b)Body-worn camera laws generally limit public dissemination of camera footage except for statutorily specified purposes. Some jurisdictions permit the release of footage to the people involved in a recording, or to their attorneys. Other jurisdictions allow release in instances where the public interest outweighs the need for confidentiality. Some jurisdictions allow the release of footage, but recordings can be withheld if they reveal confidential information or identify people accused of, but not charged with, a crime.

(c)I Liheslaturan Guåhan further finds that body-worn cameras have become increasingly popular in recent years as a means to prevent or document officer misconduct while on duty. However, these devices are unpopular among law enforcement officers as everything that they say or do while on duty is recorded, including times when officers have a reasonable expectation of privacy. The other concern from law enforcement officers is that recorded criticism of fellow officers or supervisors may be used against them. To balance the needs of the public, investigators, prosecutors, defense attorneys and victims, the use and release of body-worn cameras recordings should be subject to a fair and concise policy.

(d)Therefore, it is the intent of I Liheslaturan Guåhan to allow the Guam Police Department to implement a body-worn camera program, and to allow the Chief of Police to develop rules and regulations to administer the program.