Detroit's proposed police video ordinance is a far cry from true transparency, critics say. The measure, which would require some police footage to be made public, is riddled with exemptions that would allow officers to shield their misconduct.
Under the proposal, police would have up to 30 days to release video of serious use of force incidents, but exemptions could include footage involving joint task forces or police union contracts. City lawyers could also claim that releasing the video could harm Detroit in a civil lawsuit, essentially giving them carte blanche to withhold footage.
Critics argue that this loophole would allow officers to cover up their wrongdoing and hide from accountability. "It's not even a good ordinance," said Jacob Smith, a member of the Detroit Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression. "It has more holes than a fishing net."
The coalition for police transparency, who have proposed an alternative ordinance, say that Detroit residents deserve unedited footage of police use of force incidents. Their version would require the city to publicly release all unedited video, audio, and police reports within seven days.
"This is one of those documents that I do believe is ripe for amendment," said Councilwoman Angela Whitfield Calloway, who drafted the original ordinance. However, critics say that her measure is too watered down and provides too much leeway for police to shield their misconduct.
Activists, including Victoria Camille, who is running for a seat on the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, argue that police video footage belongs to taxpayers, not the department. "Police video footage should be released in its entirety, without any edits or redactions," she said.
The proposed ordinance has sparked intense debate, with some council members saying it's necessary but imperfect. Others have called for more public input and a stronger measure to ensure transparency. The fate of the ordinance remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Detroit residents are demanding greater accountability from their police department.
Under the proposal, police would have up to 30 days to release video of serious use of force incidents, but exemptions could include footage involving joint task forces or police union contracts. City lawyers could also claim that releasing the video could harm Detroit in a civil lawsuit, essentially giving them carte blanche to withhold footage.
Critics argue that this loophole would allow officers to cover up their wrongdoing and hide from accountability. "It's not even a good ordinance," said Jacob Smith, a member of the Detroit Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression. "It has more holes than a fishing net."
The coalition for police transparency, who have proposed an alternative ordinance, say that Detroit residents deserve unedited footage of police use of force incidents. Their version would require the city to publicly release all unedited video, audio, and police reports within seven days.
"This is one of those documents that I do believe is ripe for amendment," said Councilwoman Angela Whitfield Calloway, who drafted the original ordinance. However, critics say that her measure is too watered down and provides too much leeway for police to shield their misconduct.
Activists, including Victoria Camille, who is running for a seat on the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, argue that police video footage belongs to taxpayers, not the department. "Police video footage should be released in its entirety, without any edits or redactions," she said.
The proposed ordinance has sparked intense debate, with some council members saying it's necessary but imperfect. Others have called for more public input and a stronger measure to ensure transparency. The fate of the ordinance remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Detroit residents are demanding greater accountability from their police department.
. I mean, 30 days to release footage of serious use of force incidents and then you can just claim it'll harm the city in a lawsuit? That's not transparency, that's a loophole for cops to hide their own misconduct 
.
.
.
. It seems like they're trying to pass off some half-baked idea as transparency. I mean, 30 days is a pretty generous timeframe for releasing footage of serious use of force incidents. What if the officers are trying to cover their tracks and need that extra time? And those exemptions for joint task forces or police union contracts? Come on! That's just a way to let them sweep their misconduct under the rug.
. If we're talking about public safety, then we need to be willing to have tough conversations and make hard decisions. This ordinance just doesn't cut it.
! I mean, 30 days to release serious use of force vids sounds like a total joke 
, especially with all those exemptions that let cops cover up their own misconduct 
It's time for the city to step up and give Detroit residents what they deserve: real transparency 
. The fact that some council members are even calling it "necessary but imperfect" is just laughable 
. Where's the accountability, man? 
... like if the cops are doing something bad, shouldn't they show us so we can judge? 
But then again, I've heard some of that footage is super graphic and stuff... wouldn't that be traumatizing for people to watch? 
Like, it's not about covering up bad stuff, right? It's just about making sure everything is fair and stuff? 
Is it because of some lawsuit thingy? 
.
. Let's make sure our cities have laws that support that goal, not just ones that let things slide 
️. this whole thing feels like a watered down version of what we really need: transparency and accountability 
. It's like they're trying to make it easy for them to cover up their own mistakes. And what really grinds my gears is how city lawyers can just claim releasing the video would harm Detroit in a civil lawsuit... that's not transparency, that's just lawyers finding ways to avoid accountability 
. The coalition's alternative ordinance sounds way more solid to me 
, but I guess it's hard for council members to pass something when there are too many people with a vested interest in watering it down 
.
A government that takes away your freedom to question is no better than a tyrant.
. They want some transparency, which is cool and all, but they're also leaving out too many loopholes that could let cops get away with stuff. Like, who do you ask if you can't even see the footage? Councilwoman Angela Whitfield Calloway's original idea was a good start, but now it's just watered down 
. We should be able to see what our cops are doing, even if it makes them uncomfortable 
. Let's get this ordinance revised and make sure Detroit residents can trust their police department 
It's not like it's gonna hurt anyone to share the truth. 
