Police CAMERA Act of 2025

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish a new matching grant program , administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. This program will provide funds to States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes for purchasing or leasing body-worn cameras for law enforcement officers and covering related implementation expenses, such as training, data storage, and security. The initiative aims to deter excessive force, improve accountability and transparency in the use of force, aid in responding to complaints against officers, and enhance evidence collection. Grant recipients must commit to developing and publicly sharing comprehensive policies and procedures for camera use, data collection, retention, and privacy protection. These policies must include limitations on the use of facial recognition technology and protocols for data release to prosecutors and defense attorneys. Recorded data use is restricted to misconduct investigations, criminal investigations with reasonable suspicion, or limited training purposes, with strict prohibitions on unauthorized transfer. Grantees are required to collect and report statistical data on use of force incidents and complaints, contributing to a national database. The legislation also directs the creation of a body-worn camera training toolkit and mandates a comprehensive study on the efficacy and impact of these cameras, including issues of privacy and data security.