Dallas Police Chief Announces Videos From Critical Incidents Will Be Released Publicly Within 72 Hours
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The Dallas Police Department announced a change to the department's Video Release Policy on Tuesday.
Effective immediately, the department will release recordings, within 72 hours, of "critical incidents" including officer-involved shootings and use of force that results in serious bodily injury or death.
It also includes release of video secured if someone dies in police custody.
Previously, the video was released on a case-by-case basis.
"This is another step in our efforts to establish a foundation of transparency and trust among DPD and our communities," said Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall.
Chief Hall also expanded the order so it will allow an opportunity for the injured person or a next of kin for a deceased person to review the footage before it's released to the public.
Additionally, the Director of the Office of Community Police Oversight, the District Attorney as well as the involved officer or officers will have an opportunity to view the video recording before its release.
Also Tuesday, DPD began posting its monthly traffic and citation data, including analysis displaying race and ethnicities of the people cited.
This step was outlined early this month when Dallas presented the "One Dallas: R.E.A.L. Change Plan" to the City Council.
On Wednesday, an attorney for the Dallas Police Association, Bob Gorsky, released the following statement on the policy change regarding release of videos:
"Chief Hall's plan to release videos of officer involved shootings etc. within 72 hours is misguided. First of all, the policy violates state law on more than one level. The quick release of such videos also jeopardizes the rights and safety of police officers and violent crime victims, which in many cases are the INVOLVED officers themselves. The policy is also contrary to the manner in which the city routinely handles public information requests when a criminal investigation is in progress.As always, the Dallas Police Association and its legal counsel welcome the opportunity to provide Chief Hall with constructive input into a policy which has wide ranging implications that clearly have not been considered. To date we have not been asked."
