‘Bo’s Law’ signed into law, aims to create ‘systemic accountability’ in policing

Gov. Greg Abbott signed “Bo’s Law” with the aim of creating “systemic accountability” in policing.

The law is named after Botham Jean, who was shot and killed by a Dallas police officer in his own apartment while eating ice cream, as noted on a webpage created by advocates of the law. 

The law makes it an offense for a police officer to shut off a body camera during investigations, stating that officers are to “keep a body worn camera activated for the entirety of the investigation,” the bill’s language states. 

“Today, I am proud to announce that the governor signed HB 929, The Botham Jean Act ‘Bo’s Law’ into law. Bo’s Law is intended to create systemic accountability in policing,” State Rep. Carl O. Sherman said in a Twitter post.

In his post, Carl Sherman also thanked the Jean family for their support getting the bill passed.

An article by WFAA reported that an original version of the law clarified the definition of Texas’s castle doctrine and blocked loopholes.

The final language of the bill only gives updated procedures for police surrounding body cameras and the footage recorded on them, WFAA said in its article.

Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger used deadly force when she went into Jean’s apartment believing that the apartment was hers and that Jean was an intruder, an article by Dallas Express explains.

Jean received another local honor as well recently.

A part of Lamar Street was renamed “Botham Jean Boulevard” by the City of Dallas, with an article by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth stating that both the headquarters for the Dallas Police Department and the apartment where Jean lived are on that street.

The Dallas Express reported that Guyger is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence.