"The county has repeatedly denied California Public Records Act requests by civil rights advocates seeking the body-worn camera footage of deputies firing their newly-approved Tasers at incarcerated people. In letters responding to advocates' requests, county lawyers have argued the footage is exempt because it's considered a record of investigation and part of an ongoing case file. And while the discharge of a firearm is considered exempt from this loophole, county lawyers said they don't consider a Taser a "firearm.""
"The sheriff's independent oversight office has already reviewed the footage. Based on the video of nine Taser discharges over a six month period, it concluded the weapon effectively avoided further deputy use of force, and deputies followed department policy. "So what do they have to hide, then?" Asian Law Alliance Executive Director Richard Konda, who's among the civil rights advocates persistently requesting the footage, told San José Spotlight. "We don't see any reason that digital footage shouldn't be released.""
"County supervisors and lawyers argue the disclosure would violate the privacy of people in the jails. "The county must balance that accountability with other important concerns, including the privacy interests of incarcerated persons, the security of the jail and the viability of ongoing investigations," County Counsel Tony LoPresti told San José Spotlight. "It is because of these interests that California law exempts these videos from the Public Records Act.""
Santa Clara County approved and deployed Axon Taser 10 devices in county jails as part of an eight-month pilot, issuing 60 devices to correctional officers to curb deadly fights. Sheriff’s deputies have used the Tasers, and civil rights advocates have repeatedly sought body‑worn camera footage under the California Public Records Act. County lawyers have denied requests, asserting the footage is exempt as records of investigation and ongoing case files, and arguing that a Taser is not a “firearm.” The sheriff’s independent oversight office reviewed nine discharges and found the weapons reduced further force and policy was followed. Advocates demand release; county supervisors and counsel cite inmate privacy, jail security, and investigative viability.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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