Boston Police Acknowledge No Timeline Exists for Releasing Body Camera Footage

BOSTON — May 22, 2026 — Boston City Council panel presses police commissioner on body camera release gaps, finds no set timeline in department rules. The Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice held a hearing Friday on Docket No. 0638, examining Boston Police Department Rule 405, the internal body-worn camera policy. Commissioner Michael Cox acknowledged under questioning from lead sponsor Councilor Maynard Culpepper that the rule contains no defined timeline for releasing footage after critical incidents and that all decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, with the state public records statute serving as the operative standard. Of 1,273 footage requests received, 722 were fulfilled; General Counsel David Freed cited active investigations, privacy interests, and statutory exemptions as the primary reasons for denial. Cox pledged to revise the rule for clarity on whether officers involved in shootings may review footage before giving statements, a provision currently at odds with the Suffolk County DA's policy in fatal cases. Councilor Brian Worrell secured a commitment from Chair Henry Santana for a working session to compare the August 2022 Law Enforcement Body Camera Task Force report against current Rule 405 provisions.