MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBRC) — When police body cameras record an incident in Alabama, the video is not automatically public.

Under a law that took effect Oct. 1, 2024, only a short list of people — such as a family representative — can request the footage. Law enforcement agencies can still deny release, even after an investigation ends.

The law, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Juandalynn Givan, was intended, according to Givan, to give families access while protecting active cases. But critics say agencies are now using it to withhold information from the public.

In a response to WBRC’s request for body camera video in the death of Jabari Peoples, law enforcement cited the law to deny release, despite the investigation being complete.

“There’s nothing in that law that says that they can’t re

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