Police officers from across Wisconsin are supporting a bill that would set state policy for when body camera footage should be made public.
A state Assembly committee held a hearing Thursday on a bill that would make it possible under state law to keep much of police video private.
Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney says his concerns over protecting the privacy of people captured on policy body cams have led him to not equip his 400 officers with the cameras. He spoke in favor of the bill on behalf of groups representing sheriffs and deputies across the state.
Bill sponsor Rep. Jesse Kremer says the goal is both to protect privacy and set statewide guidelines.
The measure is opposed by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, which raised concerns about limitations on public access to the video records.