Are body cameras necessary in law enforcement? King County Sheriff, John Urquhart, thinks so, and on July 20, 2017 he made his position clear by sending an email to the Metropolitan King County Council requesting money to outfit his deputies with body cameras. Seattle’s mayor, Ed Murray, is also pushing for officer body cameras. He, in fact, signed an executive order on July 17, 2017 directing the SPD to begin equipping its officers with body cameras. The issue has come to a head due to several allegations of improper police responses over the course of several months. The latest was the fatal shooting of man by King County Sheriff’s Deputy on June 13, 2017.
The price for body cameras may be steep, but according to Urquhart it is worth it. This is so regardless of the fact that there may also be a couple of logistical hurdles to overcome beyond costs such as (1) data storage, and (2) public disclosure. In the end, however, those headaches are worth it to protect both the public and law enforcement agents.
If you or a loved one is cited or charged with a law violation, you should immediately seek the advice and/or assistance of a qualified Seattle criminal defense attorney. The Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle criminal defense lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested or charged for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether you are cited with an infraction or arrested and/or charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or a felony, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900.
