{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-schatz-paul-and-rep-cohen-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-help", "SENS. SCHATZ, PAUL AND REP. COHEN REINTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO HELP EXPAND RESPONSIBLE USE OF POLICE BODY CAMERAS", "2017-10-04", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "TN", "Steve Cohen", "C001068", "cohen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai\u2018i) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) introduced the Police Creating Accountability by Making Effective Recording Available (Police CAMERA) Act of 2017.\u00a0 This legislation would create a pilot grant program to assist state and local law enforcement agencies develop safe and effective body-worn camera programs that also protect civilians\u2019 privacy rights. \u201cWe can\u2019t restore trust between our communities and law enforcement without transparency and accountability. Body cameras alone won\u2019t repair that relationship, but they have proven to be effective and can do a great deal to keep both police officers and community members safe and accountable,\u201d said Senator Schatz \u201cBody cameras will benefit the brave men and women who serve in our police force and the people they protect,\u201d said Senator Paul. \u201cThe use of body cameras helps officers collect and preserve evidence to solve crimes, while also decreasing the number of complaints against police. The Police CAMERA Act will help state and local police departments access this new tool, while ensuring that the privacy rights of every civilian are respected.\u201d \u201cJustice is supposed to be blind, but it is not supposed to be blind to the facts. Police body cameras can help provide evidence and restore some much-needed trust between police and the communities they serve,\u201d said Congressman Cohen. \u201cThe cameras could show the officer\u2019s actions for what they were, proving both lawful and unlawful activity. The vast majority of police are well meaning, dedicated public servants, and we depend upon them to keep us safe from criminals. But the fact remains some officers go beyond the law in a callous disregard for due process.\u00a0 Their actions damage the public trust that is essential for good police to be able to serve and protect our communities. Police body cameras, alone, will not solve this problem, but they are an important step in the right direction. I would like to thank Senators Schatz and Paul for their leadership on this issue and for partnering with me on this legislation.\u201d The Police CAMERA Act of 2017 would establish a pilot grant program using existing funding to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies with the purchasing or leasing of body-worn cameras.\u00a0It would also authorize an impact-study after two years. The study would assess the impact body-worn cameras have on reducing the use of excessive force by police, its effects on officer safety and public safety, and procedures to protect the privacy of individuals who are recorded. \u201cThe resulting benefits of the body-worn cameras after almost two years of usage have greatly exceeded my expectations,\u201d said Darryl D. Perry, Chief of Police of the Kauai Police Department. \u201cNot only have our officers embraced this technology wholeheartedly, but our community has commended KPD for being open and transparent.\u201d\u00a0 Original cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://cohen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-schatz-paul-and-rep-cohen-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-help"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.567052211612463, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}