CNN "The Lead with Jake Tapper" Transcript: Law Enforcement Officers
Interview
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TAPPER: All right, Miguel Marquez, thank you so much.
There are many members of Congress who think that police body cameras could have made all the difference in Freddie Gray's case.
Senator Tim Scott joins me now. He is planning to introduce legislation that would increase the use of cameras nationwide.
Senator Scott, welcome to THE LEAD. Thanks so much for joining us. I appreciate it.
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: So, you're introducing body cam legislation. What do you say to your fellow Republicans who say this is an example of federalizing local police forces?
SEN. TIM SCOTT (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: I think there's nothing further from the truth.
And anyone who believes -- and I haven't heard any of my Senate colleagues come forward and say they believe that the step forward of having body cameras available for law enforcement, local law enforcement, is in any way, shape or form federalizing local law enforcement.
I would oppose, object and strongly stand in the way of federalizing local law enforcement. It's the worst idea I have heard.
TAPPER: So, what would this do? What would this do?
SCOTT: What this would is would provide funding for local law enforcement who are interested in having body-worn cameras, but cannot afford it. There are about 3,000 or 4,000 jurisdictions around the country that
have already made the move in the direction of body cameras. There are some jurisdictions that cannot afford them. What I'm trying to do is make sure that the funding apparatus that could be available is available. And frankly I think it's going to save more money than it actually costs.
TAPPER: There are a lot of cases that we have seen and they have been brought to light because of cell phone cameras mainly.
SCOTT: Yes.
TAPPER: There was a case in South Carolina.
(CROSSTALK)
SCOTT: Walter Scott.
TAPPER: Yes, Walter Scott.
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: Yes, and, obviously, the Freddie Gray case. Was there any one of these cases that prompted you to embrace this legislation?
SCOTT: Certainly watching the theme that's going across the country of the interactions.
I think one of the ways that we have opportunity to restore trust and confidence between law enforcement and community members is through the use of body-worn cameras.
For me, my home town, North Charleston, Walter Scott certainly had a lot to do with me taking a step forward and asking for the hearing that we had yesterday, now asking for the groups that have been part of the hearing process, the experts that have come into my office -- we have had over a dozen groups have come in and talk about their concerns, whether it's disclosure issues, whether it's data retention, a lot of issues that we need to solve on our way to it.
[16:40:07]
TAPPER: Yes. Privacy is a big issue.
SCOTT: Privacy is a big issue. And it should be a big issue.
We should not rush into something. What I hope to see is the laboratory of America working on behalf of the citizens of the country. When you have that many jurisdictions moving forward with body cameras, you would think, three years from now, this is going to be the norm
What I'm trying to do is find the best practices around the country and make them available to other jurisdictions, without us as the federal government coming in and dictating, mandating or requiring anything, but other than having a funding apparatus. And the DOJ is already moving in that direction. Frankly, $20 million
from the DOJ to provide some funding for body cameras is a step in the right direction.
TAPPER: Where are you getting the most pushback from? Is it from police? Is it from civil liberties groups? Who's expressing the most concern?
SCOTT: I think if you -- everyone has a concern. There's no doubt about that.
But I have been very excited about the fact that the sheriff's associations that I have met with, the attorney general's associations that I have met with, the mayors that I have met with all have the same comments.
Yes, this will probably be a very good tool for law enforcement officers. Let us talk first about the cost, the data retention, the disclosure issues, FOIA as well, as far as disclosure issues.
And if we can overcome those obstacles, then we have a clear path. But everyone so far has agreed that body cameras would in fact lower complaints. One study's come out that said they declared a 90 percent drop, 90 percent drop in complaints against officers and a 60 percent drop in the use of force. Everyone seems to act differently when they know they're on video.
TAPPER: Well, I know I do.
SCOTT: Me and you both, yes, sir.
(CROSSTALK)
TAPPER: Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, thanks so much. Hope you will come back.
SCOTT: Thanks, Jake.
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