MOBILE, Ala. (NBC 15) — The city of Semmes released body camera video exclusively to NBC 15 News this week showing an officer-involved shooting — a rare move in Alabama, where the footage is not considered public record. Under state law, agencies only have to show the footage to people who appear in the video or their representatives, and even then, it’s not allowed to be recorded or copied. That means when, or if, the public ever sees body camera footage is largely up to law enforcement agencies, leading to inconsistent access and limited transparency for taxpayers who fund the technology.
“It’s unacceptable that there’s not a consistent policy across the state of Alabama in regard to body cam video,” said Sharon Tinsley, Alabama Broadcasters Association President.
Three recent videos highlight how differently footage can surface. Semmes released body camera video, despite Alabama law not requiring it (Section 36-21-212). In contrast, states like Florida treat body camera footage as public record and routinely release it…