Analysis from academic or governmental studies on police accountability

STF Mandates Uninterrupted Body Cameras for São Paulo PMs; Governor Tarcísio Required to Comply

Dec 9, 2024, 05:06 PM

Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) President, Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, has mandated the compulsory use of body cameras by São Paulo's Military Police (PM) with uninterrupted recording during operations, citing 'risk to fundamental rights'. The decision comes in response to increasing reports of police violence and manipulation of camera recordings to conceal irregular and illegal actions, as highlighted by the state's Public Defender's Office. The ruling requires Governor Tarcísio de Freitas to maintain the automatic and continuous recording model initially implemented under former Governor João Doria. The STF's decision also stipulates the disclosure of data, recomposition of the number of cameras, and monthly presentation of reports by the government. This move directly impacts the purchase of 12,000 body cameras by the São Paulo government, whose previous procurement did not mandate uninterrupted recording.