George Floyd's death once again turned the national spotlight on the need for law enforcement reforms, training and accountability. The public learned about Floyd's death because Darnella Frazier, a teenager on a public street, had the presence of mind and courage to whip out her cellphone.

Frazier's actions revealed two facts. First, that body-cam and dash-cam footage is essential to transparent policing. Second, that states' attempt to provide footage through legislation is largely inadequate. The goal of body camera legislation is to ensure that the public has the ability to see police/citizen encounters from a close perspective. But in most states, unless you were there yourself, filming on a public street—you won't see what Frazier saw, much less what the officers saw.