U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that it expects to equip every field officer with body cameras by the end of August. This move is intended to provide an unprecedented visual record of the federal government’s immigration enforcement operations.

Transparency and Accountability

Acting Director David J. Venturella stated that ICE is committed to transparency and accountability. However, the agency’s body-worn camera policy has raised questions about provisions allowing ICE leadership to withhold or indefinitely delay footage after serious injuries or deaths in custody.

Venturella defended the policy, saying that the restrictions are intended to protect investigations and privacy, and are consistent with federal law and policies at other federal law enforcement agencies. The policy clarifies that footage should not be released when doing so could compromise investigations or privacy.

Concerns and Criticisms

Some have criticized the policy, arguing that it could be used to withhold footage that is in the public interest. Christopher Schneider, a sociology professor at Brandon University in Canada, said that selective releases are routine in some law enforcement agencies, but usually not so clearly contemplated in policy.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.