Sec. 1701.657. RECORDING INTERACTIONS WITH THE PUBLIC. (a) A peace officer equipped with a body worn camera shall act in a manner that is consistent with the policy of the law enforcement agency that employs the officer with respect to when and under what circumstances a body worn camera must be activated.
(b) A peace officer equipped with a body worn camera may choose not to activate a camera or may choose to discontinue a recording currently in progress for any encounter with a person that is not related to an investigation.
(c) A peace officer who does not activate a body worn camera in response to a call for assistance must include in the officer's incident report or otherwise note in the case file or record the reason for not activating the camera.
(d) Any justification for failing to activate the body worn camera because it is unsafe, unrealistic, or impracticable is based on whether a reasonable officer under the same or similar circumstances would have made the same decision.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1134 (S.B. 158), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 798 (H.B. 929), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2021.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 10 - Occupations Related to Law Enforcement and Security
Chapter 1701 - Law Enforcement Officers
Subchapter N. Body Worn Camera Program
Section 1701.652. Grants for Body Worn Cameras
Section 1701.6521. Grants for Body Worn Camera Data Storage
Section 1701.654. Interagency or Interlocal Contracts
Section 1701.655. Body Worn Camera Policy
Section 1701.657. Recording Interactions With the Public
Section 1701.658. Use of Personal Equipment
Section 1701.660. Recordings as Evidence
Section 1701.661. Release of Information Recorded by Body Worn Camera
Section 1701.662. Body Worn Camera Recordings; Request for Attorney General Decision