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TO CREATE THE "STUDY COMMITTEE ON THE USE OF WEARABLE VIDEO CAMERAS BY STATE TROOPERS", TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP AND STAFFING OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY COMMITTEE'S TERMINATION.
Whereas, the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri have caused citizens across this country to examine, consider, and implement more effective and safer means to enforce the laws of our land; and
Whereas, many law enforcement agencies across our nation are studying whether a law enforcement officer's use of a body video camera to record his activities can bring measurable benefits to relations between law enforcement agencies and the civilian population; and
Whereas, in the first year after its officer's were equipped with body video cameras, in 2012, the City of Rialto, California reported that the numbers of complaints filed against its officers fell by eighty-eight percent compared with the previous twelve months. In addition use of force by officers fell almost sixty percent; and
Whereas, it would be fitting and proper for the State of South Carolina to explore and study equipping its highway patrolmen with video cameras while they are on patrol. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) There is created the study committee on the Use of Wearable Video Cameras by State Troopers. The study committee shall review information, including, but not limited to, statistics and other information available from law enforcement agencies around the State and across the nation regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of the use of wearable video cameras by members of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
(B) The study committee must be composed of three members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and three members of the Senate, appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
(C) The Chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees shall provide staffing for the study committee.
(D) The study committee shall make a report of the committee's recommendations to the General Assembly by June 1, 2015, at which time the study committee must be dissolved.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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