San Diego County cities plan to release videos of officers shooting citizens immediately if the public requests them. The expedited procedure is intended to increase public trust according to law enforcement leaders. “We believe it is important for the public to understand what happened during a critical incident, such as a shooting. Presented out of context, a video clip alone can lead to incorrect and sometimes inflammatory narratives about shootings. With context, video evidence can aid the public in understanding why and how an OIS [officer-involved shooting] occurred and build confidence in law enforcement,” wrote the leaders. (The San Diego Union Tribune, May 14, 2016, by Bill Gore, San Diego County sheriff; Shelley Zimmerman, San Diego police chief and Bonnie Dumanis, San Diego County district attorney)
The leaders announced the proposed policy at a community forum in San Diego last week. Under the policy a video would be released after it has been entered into evidence, but the identities of those involved would be blurred to protect their privacy. The impetus for the policy was a police shooting last year of a mentally ill citizen and the ensuing controversy over police handling of the incident. (Courthouse News Service, May 19, 2016, by Bianca Bruno)