In unusual move, police hasten to release video of shooting

Source: Associated Press


Dave Collins, Associated Press Updated 4:04 pm CDT, Friday, April 26, 2019

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Facing protests and concerned about losing the community's trust, Connecticut officials were unusually quick to release police body camera and surveillance videos of a shooting by two police officers, who opened fire on a young, unarmed couple in their car in New Haven last week, wounding a 22-year-old woman.

Community activists, including local clerics, say that the release of the videos showed good faith but that they want authorities to go further and fire both officers. More demonstrations are planned.

Public safety Commissioner James Rovella said it was unprecedented for police in the state to release such videos so early in an investigation into a police shooting. Around the country, police departments routinely withhold video taken by body-worn and dashboard-mounted cameras of officer-involved shooting and other uses of force, often citing broad exemptions to public records law.

. . .

The recordings show two officers opening fire on a car when the driver tries to get out and put his hands in the air.


Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Quick-release-of-police-shooting-video-was-unusual-13798713.php