Fachin maintains decision that obliges the use of cameras by the Rio police

The Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Edson Fachin upheld this Tuesday (6) the decision that obliges the government of Rio de Janeiro to install cameras and geolocation equipment on the uniforms of state police officers. In addition to the installation, the decision determines that the captured images are stored and shared with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office and victims of police violence when requested.

Last month, the government of Rio participated in a conciliation hearing at the Supreme Court and claimed that the installation of the cameras jeopardizes investigative actions and puts the security of agents at risk, reported Agência Brasil. However, in the new decision, Fachin kept the facility mandatory, but allowed procedures to be listed that could interfere with intelligence activities.

“These activities, however, do not necessarily coincide with all operations carried out by battalions or special units or even by all the agents that make up these units. Whenever there is use of force not related to intelligence activities, State agents must carry the body cameras,” said the minister.

In December of last year, Fachin determined that the government of Rio should present a schedule for installing the cameras. The measure was taken after the Court’s decision that forced the corporation to install equipment to combat the lack of investigation into the death of citizens during clashes between police and criminals in Rio’s communities.