Bill Text: CA SB1454 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Department of Fish and Wildlife: enforcement: patrol vehicle mounted video and audio systems.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-09-26 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 629, Statutes of 2014. [SB1454 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SB1454-Chaptered.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 1454	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  629
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
	PASSED THE SENATE  MAY 28, 2014
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 19, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 27, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 15, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Gaines

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   An act to add Section 856.5 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to
fish and wildlife.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1454, Gaines. Department of Fish and Wildlife: enforcement:
patrol vehicle mounted video and audio systems.
   Existing law establishes the Department of Fish and Wildlife in
the Natural Resources Agency, and generally charges the department
with the administration and enforcement of the Fish and Game Code.
Existing law provides that all employees of the department designated
by the Director of Fish and Wildlife as deputized law enforcement
officers are peace officers, as defined.
   This bill would authorize the department to install patrol vehicle
mounted video and audio systems, commonly known as dashboard
cameras, in patrol vehicles used by the department's peace officers.
The bill would authorize a peace officer to use a patrol vehicle
mounted video and audio system to record any communications or other
actions involving the officer while the officer is in uniform and
acting within the scope of his or her authority. The bill would
require the department to adopt a policy to establish standards
regarding the activation of patrol vehicle mounted video and audio
systems and the preservation and retention of recordings from patrol
vehicle mounted video and audio systems, subject to specified
requirements.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 856.5 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to
read:
   856.5.  (a) The department may install patrol vehicle mounted
video and audio systems, commonly known as dashboard cameras, in
patrol vehicles used by peace officers described in Section 856. A
peace officer described in Section 856 may use the patrol vehicle
mounted video and audio system to record any communications or other
actions involving the officer while the officer is in uniform and
acting within the scope of his or her authority.
   (b) The department shall adopt a policy to establish standards
regarding the activation of patrol vehicle mounted video and audio
systems and the preservation and retention of recordings from patrol
vehicle mounted video and audio systems, subject to the following
requirements:
   (1) Once a patrol vehicle mounted video and audio system has been
activated pursuant to standards established by the department
pursuant to subdivision (b), the patrol vehicle mounted video and
audio system shall record the duration of an encounter.
   (2) The department shall retain a recording from a patrol vehicle
mounted video and audio system for a minimum of 90 days and a maximum
of one year, except if the recording is necessary for a pending, or
reasonably foreseeable civil or criminal action, or for training or
administrative purposes.
   (3) The department shall provide access to a recording from a
patrol vehicle mounted video and audio system in accordance with all
other provisions of law.