NC lawmakers want to bring transparency to police interactions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some state lawmakers are considering legislation they say will make the community safer and bring about more transparency between police and citizens.

Rep. Kelly Alexander (D-Mecklenburg County) said it's time for lawmakers to step in and shine the spotlight on all interactions between law enforcement and citizens.
 
Alexander said he felt compelled to draft a body camera bill after seeing an outbreak of violence on the streets in the wake of deadly shootings at the hands of police.
 
"Clearly there's been a sense of frustration within the African-American population concerning the outcome of these investigations," Alexander said.
 
In Alexander's proposal, all law enforcement in counties with a population of 100,000 or more would be required to wear body cameras.
 
Troopers with the State Highway Patrol as well as state corrections officers would also have to wear them.
 
In Raleigh, state Rep. Rodney Moore (D-Mecklenburg County) also introduced an anti-racial profiling bill.
 
It would require police to document more information during traffic stops including the race of the driver and all interactions.
 
It also calls for more diversity training for police and gives citizens review boards power to investigate.
 
"We need to get a head of the curve to make sure that we have transparency and accountability not only for police but citizens as well," Moore said.
 
Those body cameras cost about $500.
 
Alexander said police departments should look into securing a portion of the $263 million promised by President Barack Obama to purchase them.
 
He said many communities are already making allocations in their budget to pay for them.

WSOC