“This bill includes brand-new language, called the law enforcement misconduct, which defines that an officer who fails to comply with any part of the Body-Worn Camera Act – state law – they are per se committing a Class 3 felony,” Kreis told
CBS Chicago
. “Never before have I seen a case where a law is passed that criminalizes the act of violating a department policy.”
The chief said if for any reason the officer’s camera stops recording under this state law, the liability falls back on the officer to prove it wasn’t intentional.
The law also requires that officers wear cameras. Kreiss says that mandate does not take effect for another four years and he hopes the law changes by then.