Norton Applauds Department of the Interior for Requiring Body Cameras for Law Enforcement Officers, Disappointed Dashboard Cameras Optional

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today applauded the Department of the Interior (DOI) for requiring its law enforcement officers to use body cameras and for updating its use-of-force policy, but expressed disappointment that DOI made dashboard cameras optional. Norton, along with Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), has led the effort in Congress to require federal law enforcement officers to use body and dashboard cameras. Norton noted that the new DOI policies are particularly important for the District of Columbia because U.S. Park Police officers have both federal and D.C. police powers.

"I am pleased the Department of the Interior has mandated its law enforcement officers use body cameras, which protect both officers and the public, and updated its use-of-force policies," Norton said. "However, I am disappointed DOI made dashboard cameras optional.

These new policies are particularly important for the District of Columbia, where U.S. Park Police officers have both federal and D.C. police powers, and regularly interact with D.C. residents, both on and off federal land."

Norton and Beyer have introduced the Federal Police Camera and Accountability Act, which would require all uniformed federal police officers to use body and dashboard cameras. The bill passed the House last Congress and this Congress as part of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Norton and Beyer also called on President Biden to require all executive branch law enforcement officers to use body and dashboard cameras, and called on Congress and the Supreme Court to require their officers to use body and dashboard cameras.

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