The Ministry of Justice is preparing a bill to encourage the use of body cameras by security forces.
The scope of the law would include military police, civil police, prison police, firefighters, and forensic experts, also extending to the Federal and Federal Highway Police nationwide.
247 - The Ministry of Justice is drafting a bill that aims to institutionalize the use of body cameras by security forces in Brazil, with the goal of reducing police lethality rates. The proposal, which is currently under debate, proposes making the cameras part of the officers' personal protective equipment.
Initially, the preliminary version of the bill made the use of cameras mandatory, granting states an 18-month period to adapt to the regulation. However, the Civil House requested adjustments, arguing that the federal government should pay for the equipment if it became mandatory. In response, the Ministry of Justice modified the text, including the cameras as security devices for police officers, suggesting that states should provide the equipment.
According to Folha de S. Paul"The project still needs to be approved by Minister Flávio Dino, who has already indicated that he intends to send the proposal under his administration to leave it as a legacy. He is leaving the ministry to assume a seat on the STF (Supreme Federal Court) in February." The scope of the law would include military, civil, and penal police officers, firefighters, and forensic experts, also reaching the Federal and Federal Highway Police nationwide.
In parallel with the draft bill, the Ministry's executive secretary, Ricardo Cappelli, announced that in February the Lula government should release guidelines for the use of body cameras. A public consultation currently underway, scheduled to end on January 26, will contribute to the final version of the National Guideline Ordinance on Body Cameras in Public Security.
The CNPCP (National Council for Criminal and Penitentiary Policy) recently approved a recommendation for security forces to use cameras on their uniforms. The proposal, linked to the Ministry of Justice, suggests automatic use and data storage for a period of three to six months. Furthermore, it recommends the application of cameras in private security as well, requesting that the Federal Police regulate the matter.
The Brazilian Federal Highway Police (PRF) expressed support for the use of body cameras and received a donation of 200 devices from the United States for technical testing. The agency plans an experimental implementation of the cameras in the second half of the year, aiming for their definitive use by agents by 2025.