No Longer A Secret, The FBI And The DEA Are Now Ordered To Use Body Cameras While On Duty

United States federal law enforcement illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Diplomatic Security Service)

JAKARTA - Federal law enforcement officers of the United States (US) were ordered to use body cameras when conducting an examination with a search and arrest warrant.

This policy was announced by the Ministry of Justice (USA) on Monday, June 7 local time, to increase the required accountability of state and local law enforcement officials.

According to Reuters, federal agents were previously barred from using cameras, a policy that has sometimes created tension during joint operations with state and local police.

This new directive, announced by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, comes as President Joe Biden's administration has become increasingly concerned about victims of police brutality, or situations of tension that arise during searches and arrests, such as the George Floyd case.

Later, agents from the FBI, US Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) will be required to wear a camera and activate it when issuing an arrest warrant, executing a search warrant, or during pre-planned operation.

Police illustration in Minneapolis, United States. (Wikimedia Commons/Tony Webster)

Monaco ordered the head of the service to submit the body camera policy for review within 30 days, including plans for the implementation phase.

He also asked federal agencies to be aware of the policy implemented in October 2020, which allows state and local police to use body cameras while serving in joint operations with federal agencies.

Prior to this policy, state and local police were required to turn off their cameras when working in joint operations with their federal counterparts, to maintain the confidentiality of federal law enforcement operations, even when their own policies required cameras.

In addition, federal prosecutors were ordered to design training programs to help make recordings admissible as evidence in court.

In its memorandum announcing the new policy, Monaco cited the importance of transparency and accountability.

"I am confident that this policy will continue to engender the trust and confidence of the people of the United States in the work of the Department of Justice", Monaco said.