Texas Legislature

KSAT Q&A with attorney Paul Watler about releasing police body camera footage

FOIFT2020-10-05T19:38:10-05:00

Originally aired by KSAT-TV on Sept. 21, 2020 SAN ANTONIO – There is a renewed push for law enforcement transparency both nationally and locally. In Bexar County, two deadly shootings and a wrongful arrest have sparked controversy over when law enforcement releases body camera footage to the public. Paul Walter, attorney and board member of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, joined KSAT Q&As to talk about why some footage isn’t released in a timely manner. See the video here.

KSAT Q&A with attorney Paul Watler about releasing police body camera footageFOIFT2020-10-05T19:38:10-05:00

Travis County trying to withhold information about its opposition to open records legislation

FOIFT2020-07-14T22:26:19-05:00

By John EngelKXANOriginally published July 13, 2020 Travis County will ask the Attorney General’s office whether it can withhold communication about a police transparency bill that the county registered in opposition to in 2019. In response to a KXAN public information request regarding county communication about House Bill 147, which aimed to close the so-called dead suspect loophole, a county attorney said he will request guidance from the Attorney General as to whether the information has to be released under public records law. The loophole is an exemption in Texas public records law that allows law enforcement agencies to withhold information [...]

Travis County trying to withhold information about its opposition to open records legislationFOIFT2020-07-14T22:26:19-05:00

Watler: Texas should make police body cam video and citizen complaints public

FOIFT2020-06-26T15:13:41-05:00

By Paul C. WatlerOriginally published June 24, 2020 in The Dallas Morning News Many Americans protesting the death of George Floyd have demanded greater official accountability in the deaths of black citizens during encounters with police. Police face enormous challenges in fulfilling their sworn duty to protect and to serve. We send them out in our name to prevent crime and keep us safe in our homes, schools and communities. To meet that responsibility, we vest police with extraordinary power, including in some cases the use of deadly force. In the vast majority of cases, officers use their special powers in [...]

Watler: Texas should make police body cam video and citizen complaints publicFOIFT2020-06-26T15:13:41-05:00

FOI Foundation state conference to be online event in 2020

FOIFT2020-06-19T15:56:05-05:00

Because of continuing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the FOI Foundation of Texas state conference originally scheduled for Austin on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, will not take place in person. Instead, we will host online open government events this fall focusing on timely transparency issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, police accountability and more. Stay tuned for further details. We look forward to returning to an in-person conference in September 2021 at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin.

FOI Foundation state conference to be online event in 2020FOIFT2020-06-19T15:56:05-05:00

FOI Foundation of Texas joins more than 50 organizations in NFOIC-Brechner Center statement on police records transparency

FOIFT2020-06-12T20:51:59-05:00

The National Freedom of Information Coalition and the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information issued a statement on law enforcement transparency and accountability in response to the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, and the following unrest and violence that erupted around the nation. More than 50 organizations have signed on in support of the statement, which calls for states to enact reforms opening every aspect of the police misconduct oversight process to public scrutiny. The officer charged in the death of Mr. Floyd had 18 previous complaints filed against him. Read the full story here.

FOI Foundation of Texas joins more than 50 organizations in NFOIC-Brechner Center statement on police records transparencyFOIFT2020-06-12T20:51:59-05:00

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