Evidence
Feb. 19, 2026
LAPD body-camera deletion policy puts future evidence preservation at risk
The LAPD's plan to delete nearly 12 million "non-evidentiary" recordings lacks a clear legal basis, risks the loss of relevant evidence and raises serious transparency and conflict-of-interest concerns.
Lateef Gray
Senior Attorney, Chair of Civil Rights
Pointer & Buelna, LLP
7677 Oakport St Ste 1120
Oakland , CA 94621
Fax: (510) 839-3882
Email: lgray@lawyersftp.com
In a climate where accountability and transparency are foundational to public trust in law enforcement, the Los Angeles Police Department's proposed policy change to delete non-evidentiary body-worn camera and dashcam recordings raises substantial legal and ethical concerns. Pursuant to this proposed policy (Policy No. 579.16), nearly 12 million body-worn and dashboard-mounted camera videos would be deleted, as "having no valuable evidentiary value..." Sebastian Zapata,
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