The Oakland Police Department has declined to provide the public with access to police body camera videos that would show what happened on Oct. 18, the morning former Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin died while in the custody of several OPD officers.
In response to a public records request by The Oaklandside, the department argued Tuesday that Martin’s death did not happen during a “critical incident,” and is therefore not subject to state laws governing the release of police body camera footage.
The decision was made by Acting Police Chief James Beere. Beere determined that, under the state Public Records Act’s public-interest balancing test exemption, and because the Community Police Review Agency, or CPRA, is investigating the incident, the video and audio recordings may be kept secret. According to the balancing test exemption, agencies may keep records secret if the public interest in doing so outweighs the public interest in disclosing them.
“Specifically, disclosure at this time would compromise privacy interests, and interfere with an ongoing investigation,” OPD wrote in response to our request.
I can understand if the cpra review can result in criminal charges, but I doubt that’s the case. The video is almost definitely conclusive proof of murder.
That should legally stand as an admission of guilt.
rip doug martin. defund and reform the police.
Which means they are probably guilty.
The only possible way it’s acceptable, IMO, is if it’s really really really embarrassing for Martin and they’re protecting him.
Anyone have any insight into how much trust the CPRA is owed here?
Not a good reason. He can’t be embarrassed, he’s dead. This is pigs covering their arses.
I just read up a bit on the CPRA. I’m gathering that it at least was a pretty decent civilian watchdog under Mac Muir, however he resigned back in February due to budget cuts. Their website hasn’t even been updated with that info, so I have little hope.
