A traffic stop involving a New Hampshire Democratic lawmaker, Ellen Read, has brought the ongoing debate over police body cameras and dashboard cameras back into sharp focus. The incident involved a deputy accusing State Representative Read of driving 107 mph. Confirmation that the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, the agency involved in the stop, possesses neither body-worn nor dashboard cameras has intensified this discussion.
The absence of such footage is now a central element in the legal proceedings concerning Ms Read. She is currently fighting charges that stem from two separate traffic stops within Rockingham County. A core aspect of her defence involves the argument that both stops violated a specific provision of the New Hampshire Constitution, which is intended to protect lawmakers while they are travelling to and from their legislative duties.
Without any body camera or dashboard camera footage available, there is no official recording of the traffic stop. This particular lack of documentation is what has sparked the constitutional fight over legislative immunity. Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Major Christopher Bashaw addressed the situation, explaining that the agency does not currently utilise body-worn cameras or dashboard cameras.
Rockingham County’s Funding Challenges
Major Bashaw explicitly stated that the sheriff’s office lacks the necessary funding to purchase these vital pieces of equipment. When questioned directly about whether deputies use body cameras or dashboard cameras, Major Bashaw responded, “We don’t have that either.” He further expressed that the sheriff’s office would indeed like to equip its deputies with this modern technology, indicating a desire for the cameras despite the current financial constraints.
The state of New Hampshire has, however, taken steps to address such funding gaps. In 2021, state lawmakers established a dedicated Body-Worn and Dashboard Camera Fund. This fund was created with the specific purpose of providing matching grants to local law enforcement agencies. These grants are designed to assist with the substantial costs associated with purchasing cameras, as well as covering ongoing expenses such as maintenance, replacement, and data storage.
All local law enforcement agencies across New Hampshire are eligible to apply for funding through this state grant programme. While state law mandates that agencies choosing to deploy body cameras must adopt policies governing when officers are required to record law enforcement encounters, including routine traffic stops, it does not impose a requirement for agencies to actually purchase or use body cameras.
Despite the existence of this state funding mechanism, it remains unclear whether the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office has applied for support through the programme. This lack of clarity adds another layer to the ongoing discussion surrounding the availability of camera technology for local law enforcement.
Legislative Immunity and Read’s Stance
State Representative Ellen Read is actively seeking to dismiss the two speeding cases she faces. Her central argument is that the New Hampshire Constitution provided her with protection from arrest during the periods in question. Specifically, she argues that the constitutional provision shielded her from police intervention while she was travelling to or from a legislative session.
This constitutional protection, she contends, barred police from stopping her following the alleged incident where she was accused of speeding at 100 mph. Ms Read has also publicly articulated her position on body-worn cameras. She informed Fox News Digital that she has consistently supported legislation related to the governance of body-worn cameras.
Ms Read has expressed her support for initiatives that provide funding to help law enforcement agencies acquire these crucial devices. She has also indicated a willingness to actively collaborate with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office to facilitate securing funding for body cameras. This potential collaboration would be aimed at inclusion within the next state budget, highlighting her commitment to the issue.
The legal battle regarding legislative immunity continues alongside the wider discussion on funding for police body cameras within New Hampshire. The absence of official recordings from the Rockingham County traffic stop remains a central element in the constitutional argument.