Reddit is not the right place to search for body camera footage
If you are looking for police body camera footage or footage from a specific incident, Reddit is unlikely to have what you need. Reddit is a discussion forum where users share links and talk about videos hosted elsewhere — it does not store official records or may provide that footage exists in any particular subreddit.
Official body camera footage comes from police departments, government agencies, or court records, not from Reddit users. Searching Reddit may turn up discussions about an incident or links to footage that was posted somewhere else, but you will waste time sorting through speculation and secondhand information when you could go directly to the source.
The fastest way to find body camera footage is to contact the police department or agency involved, file a public records request, or check the court docket if the incident led to charges or a lawsuit.
Key Takeaways
- Official body camera footage is held by the police department or agency that recorded it, not by Reddit.
- Public records requests are the legal way to obtain footage, and most departments have a process posted on their website.
- If an incident went to court, the footage may be part of the case file and available through the court clerk's office.
- Reddit discussions may point you toward footage hosted elsewhere, but searching Reddit first wastes time when direct sources are faster.
- Some departments post footage voluntarily on their own websites or social media accounts when an incident is significant or controversial.
How to request body camera footage directly from a police department
Most police departments have a public records or FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request process. Start by visiting the department's official website and looking for a section called "Public Records," "FOIA Requests," "Records Bureau," or "Transparency." Some departments accept requests online through a form; others require you to submit a written request by mail or in person.
When you submit a request, be specific: include the date of the incident, the location, the names of officers involved if you know them, and what you are looking for. The more detail you provide, the faster the department can locate the footage. Some departments charge a small fee for copies; others waive fees for public records requests.
Response times vary widely. Some departments respond within days; others take weeks or months. If the footage is part of an active investigation or ongoing legal case, the department may delay release or redact portions. You have the right to appeal if your request is denied.
Finding footage through court records and legal cases
If the incident resulted in criminal charges, a civil lawsuit, or a complaint hearing, the body camera footage may be part of the case file. Court records are public, and you can search for them through the court's website or by visiting the courthouse in person.
Start by finding the correct court: if it is a criminal case, search the district or county court's docket. If it is a civil lawsuit, search the civil court. Most courts have an online case search tool where you can look up a case by the defendant's name, case number, or incident date. Once you find the case, you can view documents filed by prosecutors or attorneys, which often include links to or descriptions of evidence like body camera footage.
Some courts post evidence online; others require you to view it in person at the courthouse or request it from the clerk's office. If the case is sealed or the footage is under a protective order, it may not be publicly available.
Checking police department websites and official social media
Many police departments now post body camera footage on their own websites or official social media accounts, especially in high-profile cases or when the department is responding to public concern. Check the department's official website first — look for a "News," "Videos," "Transparency," or "Body Camera Footage" section.
Some departments also post footage on YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter. Make sure you are following the official account, not a fan page or news outlet. The official account will usually have a verification badge or a link from the department's main website.
If you cannot find the footage posted publicly, that does not mean it does not exist — it may simply mean the department has not released it yet, or it may be available only through a formal records request.
Why searching Reddit for body camera footage is inefficient
Reddit users sometimes share links to body camera footage, but finding what you need requires scrolling through dozens of unrelated posts, reading speculation and arguments about the incident, and hoping someone has already done the work of finding and posting the footage elsewhere. Subreddits like r/PublicFreakout, r/Police, or r/JusticeServed may have discussions about an incident, but the footage itself is usually hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, or a news outlet's website.
Reddit posts are also temporary — threads get deleted, links go dead, and old posts are buried under new ones. If you find a link today, it may not work next week. Official sources like court records and police department websites are permanent and legally binding.
The only real advantage to searching Reddit is if you are trying to find out whether footage of a specific incident exists at all, or to see what the public is saying about it. For actually obtaining the footage, go directly to the source.
What to do if a police department refuses to release footage
If a department denies your public records request, you have options. First, ask the department to explain why — they must cite a specific legal reason, such as an ongoing investigation, privacy concerns, or a court order. Some reasons are valid; others can be challenged.
If you believe the denial is unjustified, you can file an appeal with the department's records officer or the state attorney general's office. Many states have a public records ombudsman or similar office that handles disputes over access to government documents. You can also contact a local news outlet or civil rights organization — they often have experience fighting for access to police records and may be willing to help.
If the case went to court, you can also ask the judge or the defendant's attorney to release the footage. In criminal cases, the prosecution is usually required to share evidence with the defense, and that evidence may become part of the public record.
Understanding privacy and redaction in body camera footage
Even when footage is released, parts of it may be redacted (blurred or removed). Police departments often redact the faces of victims, witnesses, or bystanders to protect their privacy. They may also redact audio if it contains sensitive information unrelated to the incident you are asking about.
Redaction is legal and common, but it should not hide the actions of the officers involved. If you receive footage that seems heavily redacted in a way that obscures what the officers did, you can ask the department to explain the redactions or appeal the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find body camera footage on Reddit if I search the right subreddit?
You might find a link to footage hosted elsewhere, but Reddit itself does not store official body camera records. Searching Reddit is slower than going directly to the police department or court records. Use Reddit only if you are trying to find out whether footage exists or what people are discussing about an incident.
How long does it take to get body camera footage after I request it?
Response times vary by department and state. Some respond within a few days; others take weeks or months. If the footage is part of an active investigation, the department may delay release. You can ask the department for an estimated timeline when you submit your request.
Do I have to pay to get body camera footage?
Some departments charge a small fee for copies or processing; others waive fees for public records requests. Ask the department about costs when you submit your request. If the fee is very high, you can ask for a fee waiver, especially if you are a journalist, researcher, or person directly involved in the incident.
What if the incident happened in another state or city?
Each state and locality has its own public records laws and processes. Start by finding the correct police department's website and looking for their public records request process. If you cannot find it online, call the department's main number and ask for the records bureau or FOIA coordinator.
Can I get body camera footage if no charges were filed?
Yes. Even if no one was arrested or charged, the footage is usually a public record and you can request it. However, the department may delay release if they are still investigating or if the footage involves a minor or sensitive victim information. You can still submit a request and ask them to explain any denial.