Claims that releasing body cam videos of police officers would jeopardize ongoing investigations effectively blocks timely public access in cases of shootings and other uses of force. In North Carolina, the videos can only be released after a judge signs a court order. (News & Record, March 16, 2019, by Ryan J. Foley of The Associated Press)
States also employ other means to deny access including high fees and citing privacy claims and the need to protect police employee records. It is common for police departments to stonewall even though through appropriate redactions, they could release the videos. (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, March 19, 2019, by Adam Marshall)