Requires that each police officer and peace officer involved in the execution of a search warrant wear a functioning and unobstructed body camera that shall be active prior to and throughout the execution of the search and during any related action following the execution of the search warrant.
Summary
S05018 would amend New York’s Criminal Procedure Law to require that the execution of a search warrant be recorded by a functioning, unobstructed body camera or other video recording device. It also requires every police officer involved in executing the warrant to wear and activate a body camera before the search begins and keep it on throughout the search and any related follow-up actions, such as securing people or evidence.
The bill goes beyond search warrants and also applies to police officers and peace officers entering a property or premises, whether by consent, exigent circumstances, emergency, or other lawful authority. In those situations, the officer must wear and activate a body camera before entry and keep it active for the duration of the occupation and related actions afterward. The bill defines “police officer” and “peace officer” by reference to existing Criminal Procedure Law definitions and would take effect 30 days after becoming law.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would create a new statewide recording requirement for law enforcement entries onto premises and for the execution of search warrants, effectively mandating body-worn camera use in those circumstances. It would add a new subdivision to CPL section 690.50 and impose a separate requirement for entries onto property or premises, affecting police departments, peace officers, and any agencies involved in searches, arrests, or other entries. The measure would likely increase evidentiary recording, documentation, and compliance obligations for law enforcement operations.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a public-safety and accountability measure rather than a controversial policy change in the available record. Its sponsors suggest support for greater transparency in police searches and entries, but no formal vote history or transcript is available here to show broader legislative sentiment. As presented, the bill’s purpose is straightforward: to ensure video documentation of law enforcement activity during entries and warrant executions.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the breadth of the mandate. The bill applies not only to search warrants but also to any police or peace officer entry onto premises, including consent entries and exigent or emergency situations, which could raise operational and legal concerns for law enforcement agencies. Possible issues include equipment availability, activation compliance, privacy concerns for occupants, and whether the requirement could complicate urgent entries or evidence preservation. No specific objections or supporters are documented in the provided transcripts or votes.
Same As
Requires that each police officer and peace officer involved in the execution of a search warrant wear a functioning and unobstructed body camera that shall be active prior to and throughout the execution of the search and during any related action following the execution of the search warrant.
Requires that each police officer and peace officer involved in the execution of a search warrant wear a functioning and unobstructed body camera that shall be active prior to and throughout the execution of the search and during any related action following the execution of the search warrant.