House, Senate advance bills on police body cameras

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Bills that aim to eventually equip law enforcement officers across South Carolina with body-worn cameras are advancing in the House and Senate.

Both chambers’ judiciary committees unanimously approved their separate proposals Tuesday, sending them to their respective floors.

The votes come two weeks after a bystander’s video of a North Charleston police officer fatally shooting a black man as he ran away prompted the officer’s arrest for murder.

The House bill essentially lets legislators postpone making decisions. As amended, it creates a study among law enforcement agencies already using the cameras.

The Senate bill leaves the details to the Law Enforcement Training Council, which would create guidelines within six months. Law enforcement agencies would then create their own policies for the council to review. Funding remains a question.