[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/federal-officers-body-cameras\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/federal-officers-body-cameras\/","headline":"Federal Officers Now Required to Wear Body Cameras","name":"Federal Officers Now Required to Wear Body Cameras","description":"In recent years, the highly publicized deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and dozens of other Black Americans at the hands of police officers have sparked national outrage and emotional calls for increased accountability. Families, communities, legislators, and even some police departments have been pushing for the expansion of body camera programs among law enforcement… Continue reading Federal Officers Now Required to Wear Body Cameras<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2021-12-06","dateModified":"2026-04-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/butler\/#Person","name":"Jeb Butler","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/butler\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5a02bc71d91db5fc8645f129c4424ce6ef7af7e24fe54f4a85315a9dd28f317?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5a02bc71d91db5fc8645f129c4424ce6ef7af7e24fe54f4a85315a9dd28f317?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Butler Kahn","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Butler-Law-Firm-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Butler-Law-Firm-Logo.png","width":210,"height":93}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/police-body-cam.jpg","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/police-body-cam.jpg","height":514,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/federal-officers-body-cameras\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tdUZifj3xh0#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tdUZifj3xh0","name":"Police Brutality: Police Body Camera Videos & Tyler Griffin","description":"When a police officer puts on a badge, he puts on power. He puts on the power to use force against others, the power to arrest fellow citizens, and the power to put people behind bars. And he puts on a shield, because while he can use force against others, others cannot use force against him.\n\nWith that power comes responsibility. It is the responsibility to protect and serve, the responsibility to use force only when necessary, and the responsibility to keep others safe, not bring them to harm.\n\nMost officers take that responsibility seriously. These officers did not.\n\nOur firm is proud to represent Tyler Griffin in his claims against Defendant Donald Vickers, Defendant Matthew Abad, and the Atlanta Police Department. We are honored that Tyler has asked us to play a role in bringing about change that is long overdue.\n\nFor more about this case, see https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/tyler-griffin-excessive-force-atlanta-police\/.\n\nAs Pastor Martin Niem\u00f6ller wrote in 1946, after the fall of the Third Reich:\n\nFirst they came for the Communists\nAnd I did not speak out\nBecause I was not a Communist\n\nThen they came for the Socialists\nAnd I did not speak out\nBecause I was not a Socialist\n\nThen they came for the trade unionists\nAnd I did not speak out\nBecause I was not a trade unionist\n\nThen they came for the Jews\nAnd I did not speak out\nBecause I was not a Jew\n\nThen they came for me\nAnd there was no one left\nTo speak out for me.\n\n\nWe hope people of all colors and creeds watch this video and join in standing against this kind of misconduct. We are all in this together.\n\nFor more about who we are and what we do, visit https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/tdUZifj3xh0\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/tdUZifj3xh0\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/tdUZifj3xh0\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/tdUZifj3xh0\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/tdUZifj3xh0\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2020-06-12T17:51:51+00:00","duration":"PT3M8S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tdUZifj3xh0","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases. We are based in Atlanta, Georgia. We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK. We do the work that lots of law firms skip. We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing. We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE. If you hire us, you get us. You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages. If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO. Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through. We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it. No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tdUZifj3xh0#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tdUZifj3xh0#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tdUZifj3xh0&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tdUZifj3xh0#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":132449}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tdUZifj3xh0#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":916}]},"about":["Civil Rights"],"wordCount":972,"articleBody":"In recent years, the highly publicized deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and dozens of other Black Americans at the hands of police officers have sparked national outrage and emotional calls for increased accountability. Families, communities, legislators, and even some police departments have been pushing for the expansion of body camera programs among law enforcement agencies to promote transparency and keep everyone safe.The use of body-worn camera (BWC) equipment among U.S. law enforcement agencies has increased significantly since gaining popularity after the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner in 2014. By 2016, nearly half (47 percent) of all \u201cgeneral-purpose\u201d law enforcement agencies in the U.S. were using commercially available BWCs.Although federal law enforcement officials rarely patrol communities or respond to emergencies, Department of Justice (DOJ) agents occasionally interact with the public during certain operations. In response to public demand for police accountability, the DOJ has announced a new policy that requires federal officers to use and activate BWCs in specific circumstances. A BWC is a special camera with a microphone and external data storage that allows audio and video recordings of the wearer\u2019s activity to be stored and analyzed later. What Does the New Body-Worn Camera Policy Require?According to a memorandum released by the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the new BWC policy will apply to several different federal law enforcement \u201ccomponents,\u201d including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).Each of these components will be required to:Designate a senior official to develop a policy and \u201cphased implementation plan\u201d that complies with the new requirements within 30 daysEnsure that all participants in DOJ task forces are aware of the new BWC policyCreate internal policies which must describe:DOJ officers\u2019 responsibilities concerning carrying, operating, maintaining, securing, activating, and deactivating BWC equipmentTypes of BWC equipment authorized for DOJ officer useThe length of time BWC footage is captured and recorded before activationAny specific requirements related to the use of BWC equipment for \u201cspecialized or sensitive\u201d investigationsDepartmental procedures regarding the collection, storage, access, or use of BWC recordingsDepartmental procedures regarding \u201cexpedited public release\u201d of BWC recordings of cases resulting in severe or fatal injurySubmit a Privacy Impact Assessment and annual privacy review plan for the new BWC policy to the DOJ\u2019s Chief Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer before implementing the policyEnsure the BWC policy complies with all federal record-keeping rules and regulations by consulting with the Office of Records ManagementEvaluate the resources needed to fully implement the new BWC policy by working with the Justice Management DivisionDevelop internal metrics to evaluate the impact of new BWC policiesAdditionally, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys will be required to develop training materials for prosecutors to outline how BWC recordings may be used as evidence and describe the implications of such recordings in discovery proceedings.Why Do They Require This Now?Why is the DOJ just now requiring BWC equipment use for federal officers? Until recently, DOJ policy prohibited federal officers from using BWC equipment, maintaining that body camera use could jeopardize potentially sensitive federal investigations. In October 2019, the Attorney General initiated a new pilot program to evaluate the use of BWC equipment for federal officers in multiple cities.The initial pilot program ended in September 2020. In October 2020, the DOJ announced its decision to allow state, local, territorial, and tribal officers on federal task forces to use BWC equipment. The new policy allowed \u201cfederally deputized\u201d officers to activate BWC equipment while:Serving arrest warrantsExecuting search warrantsCarrying out other planned arrest operationsMore recently, in September 2021, the DOJ officially launched the initial phase of its new Body-Worn Camera Program. This program requires federal officers to use BWC equipment during certain pre-planned law enforcement activities.The Detroit and Phoenix divisions of the ATF began using BWC equipment immediately during pre-planned operations. The DEA, FBI, and USMS are slated to start rollouts of the program\u2019s first phase in the following weeks.The DOJ relies on Congress to provide the funds to supply federal officers across the U.S. with the BWC equipment they need.Regarding the reasoning behind the new BWC equipment policies, Attorney General Merrick Garland stated his belief that law enforcement is \u201cmost effective\u201d when accountability and trust exist between officers and the communities they serve. Garland expressed his hope that BWC use will \u201cpromote transparency and confidence\u201d in U.S. communities, states, localities, and tribes.Potential Impact of Body-Worn Cameras on Police Shooting CasesWhile BWC equipment has apparent benefits, body cameras are not a magic cure-all. Some studies have demonstrated that law enforcement officers who wear body cameras use force less often and receive fewer civilian complaints. However, other studies have found little to no difference in the use of force or the rate of complaints about officers with BWC equipment.Ultimately, the attitudes of individual police departments likely have more of an impact on accountability for police shootings and other uses of force.However, when police shooting cases occur, BWC equipment may provide valuable evidence for victims, assuming the equipment is correctly used. Attorneys and investigators alike may be able to use body camera footage to better understand the facts, seek justice, and advocate for better policies in the future.Find out More from Our Georgia Shooting and Civil Rights LawyersIf you were hurt or if someone close to you was injured or killed in a police shooting, the civil rights attorneys of Butler Kahn are here to help. We can provide the individualized attention and dedication your case deserves so you can effectively pursue a fair outcome. Contact us to find out more about how we can help in a free initial consultation.{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What Does the New Body-Worn Camera Policy Require?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"According to a memorandum released by the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the new BWC policy will apply to several different federal law enforcement \u201ccomponents,\u201d including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).\\n\\nEach of these components will be required to:\\n\\n* Designate a senior official to develop a policy and \u201cphased implementation plan\u201d that complies with the new requirements within 30 days\\n* Ensure that all participants in DOJ task forces are aware of the new BWC policy\\n* Create internal policies which must describe:\\nDOJ officers\u2019 responsibilities concerning carrying, operating, maintaining, securing, activating, and deactivating BWC equipment\\nTypes of BWC equipment authorized for DOJ officer use\\nThe length of time BWC footage is captured and recorded before activation\\nAny specific requirements related to the use of BWC equipment for \u201cspecialized or sensitive\u201d investigations\\nDepartmental procedures regarding the collection, storage, access, or use of BWC recordings\\nDepartmental procedures regarding \u201cexpedited public release\u201d of BWC recordings of cases resulting in severe or fatal injury\\n* Submit a Privacy Impact Assessment and annual privacy review plan for the new BWC policy to the DOJ\u2019s Chief Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer before implementing the policy\\n* Ensure the BWC policy complies with all federal record-keeping rules and regulations by consulting with the Office of Records Management\\n* Evaluate the resources needed to fully implement the new BWC policy by working with the Justice Management Division\\nDevelop internal metrics to evaluate the impact of new BWC policies\\n\\nAdditionally, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys will be required to develop training materials for prosecutors to outline how BWC recordings may be used as evidence and describe the implications of such recordings in discovery proceedings.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Potential Impact of Body-Worn Cameras on Police Shooting Cases\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"While BWC equipment has apparent benefits, body cameras are not a magic cure-all. Some studies have demonstrated that law enforcement officers who wear body cameras use force less often and receive fewer civilian complaints. However, other studies have found little to no difference in the use of force or the rate of complaints about officers with BWC equipment.\\n\\nUltimately, the attitudes of individual police departments likely have more of an impact on accountability for police shootings and other uses of force.\\n\\nHowever, when police shooting cases occur, BWC equipment may provide valuable evidence for victims, assuming the equipment is correctly used. Attorneys and investigators alike may be able to use body camera footage to better understand the facts, seek justice, and advocate for better policies in the future.\"}}]}"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Federal Officers Now Required to Wear Body Cameras","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/federal-officers-body-cameras\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]