Metro Clerk

Bill BL2020-330

An ordinance amending Chapter 2.44 of the Metropolitan Code pertaining to police officer civic engagement.

WHEREAS, now is the time to change citizen engagement with the police by giving residents the first right of question during a civic engagement with law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the Miranda approach to police engagement is no longer fitting in the era of body camera technology; and

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate better police-citizen relations, law enforcement in the United States should move from a post engagement protocol to a pre-engagement protocol; and

WHEREAS, the codification of a new normal for citizen engagement with law enforcement should include a citizen having the right to ask a police officer if his/her body camera is recording, and require the officer to respond appropriately; and

WHEREAS, as Nashville rolls out body camera technology for all police officers, it is important that it be done so with a “Serve and Protect” mentality.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF NASHVILLE & DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. Chapter 2.44 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 2.44.047:

2.44.047 Engagement with the public.
Any person approached by a Metropolitan police officer wearing a body camera shall have the right to first ask, “Officer, is Your Video On?” The police officer must respond, “The video is on. How may I serve you?”

Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect from and after its enactment, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.