PGR wants punishment for police officers who refuse to use body cameras

This Friday (26), the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) sent a recommendation to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) asking for punishment for police officers who refuse to use body cameras.

The proposal was prepared by the Interinstitutional Working Group Against Racism in Police Activity (GTI Racism) linked to the Chamber of External Control of Police Activity and the Prison System of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF).

The document presents 11 suggestions, including “functional responsibility for the non-use of body cameras or their use in non-compliance with regulations”.

The PGR also wants to link the transfer of resources from the National Public Security Fund and the National Penitentiary Fund to the adherence of police troops to the use of the equipment.

“It is suggested that the implementation of body camera projects should not only be considered for purposes of transfer to federative entities, but rather a mandatory condition”, says an excerpt from the document.

Another excerpt from the document also asks that police officers be obliged to “inform the parties involved (in the incident) about the recording before the interaction begins”.

“Although the guideline mentions that the agent must inform the use of cameras at the time of the approach, the device should be clearer about the use of the recording as accusatory evidence in relation to the moments prior to receiving this information, suggesting the addition of a paragraph to provide that recordings of accused statements can only be used when clear information is also recorded regarding the possibility of use as evidence to their detriment, says the recommendation.

At the beginning of this month, ignoring serious risks to the safety of police officers and harm to the fight against crime, the minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Edson Fachin, imposed the use of body cameras on the uniforms worn by agents of the Special Operations Battalion (BOPE ) of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro (PMRJ).

The magistrate’s decision comes within the scope of the so-called “ADPF das Favelas” and reaffirms a determination from the beginning of 2022, which had been contested by the state governor, Cláudio Castro (PL), for imposing the use of body cameras on all personnel. police officer.

Experts warn about negative effects of using body cameras

In February last year, a study released by researchers at Stanford University on the use of cameras attached to the uniforms of police officers in Rio de Janeiro concluded that the use of the equipment produced a “de-policing” effect, that is, it discouraged police officers from security to get involved in activities such as approaches and responding to calls.

According to those responsible for the study (which took place in the Rocinha favela, dominated by drug trafficking), most police officers tended to avoid getting involved in cases for fear that recording interactions could incriminate them. As a result, with the use of cameras there was a 46% reduction in various types of “proactive” inspections, such as stops and searches.