SAPD announces new policy on the release of body camera footage from critical incidents
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus will introduce a new policy on body camera footage to the San Antonio City Council’s Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, according to a news release issued Friday.
The policy establishes criteria for when SAPD releases video and 911 recordings related to critical incidents that the chief says is in the interest of enhancing transparency. Previously, the department did not have a uniform policy.
The new policy says that the department has 60 days after the date of an incident to post the audio and video recordings per the approval of McManus. If the release is delayed, the department will provide a reason on its website and will release the recordings soon after the issue for the delay is resolved.
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The decision will fall on the chief, who may decided to delay the release of the recordings for the protection or the safety of individuals involved, the integrity of an active investigation, confidential sources or the constitutional rights of an accused, the release said. Footage related to juvenile suspects will not be released, per Texas law.
In a statement, McManus said “As Chief of Police, I understand that trust and accountability are vital to effective policing. I believe this policy balances the responsibility to share information with the public while maintaining due process and privacy rights.”
Critical incidents are defined in the policy as officer-involved shootings, use of force by an officer that results in death or serious bodily injury or any other police encounter in which the chief determines that releasing the recording serves a law enforcement purpose.
The term critical incident does not apply to an officer shooting an animal, an unintentional discharge during pre-shift equipment checks or during training qualifications on the firing range. An incident involving domestic violence will also not be released unless it serves a law enforcement purpose.
In addition to the body camera footage, the policy also allows the department to provide information for context that may include 911 calls, still photographs, witness recordings, narratives and other information deemed appropriate.
In the past, SAPD has been criticized by the community, including San Antonio Mayor Ron Nierenberg, for its lack of policy and its reputation for not providing body cam footage after officer-involved shootings.
The new policies are expected to be implemented Dec. 21, SAPD said in its news release.
Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @TaylorPettaway
