Ferguson Forward: How Michael Brown's Death Fueled Change in 24 States

A look at 40 new measures that hope to change communities.

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Moving Forward After Ferguson  - On Aug. 9, 2014, unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown was shot by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Mo. Residents took to the streets of Ferguson and in cities across the world to fight against police brutality in communities of color. A year later, many states have moved to implement more stringent laws to combat this issue. Yet, other communities have failed to recognize the need to overhaul outdated policies. Take a look at several of the changes and see how far we still need to go. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Body Camera Laws Vary Greatly  - Sixteen states established protocols regarding officer-worn body cameras, according to the Associated Press. Yet, these guidelines vary greatly across state lines. Some states, including Arizona and Louisiana, simply created committees to recommend policies concerning body cameras. Other states are setting more stringent guidelines. For example, Illinois and Oregon set statewide standards as to when police are required to turn on their cameras and how long these videos must be saved. Florida, North Dakota and Oklahoma have limited public access to evidence recorded on police cameras. (Photo: University of Cincinnati Campus Police via AP, File)

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Body Camera Laws Vary Greatly  - Sixteen states established protocols regarding officer-worn body cameras, according to the Associated Press. Yet, these guidelines vary greatly across state lines. Some states, including Arizona and Louisiana, simply created committees to recommend policies concerning body cameras. Other states are setting more stringent guidelines. For example, Illinois and Oregon set statewide standards as to when police are required to turn on their cameras and how long these videos must be saved. Florida, North Dakota and Oklahoma have limited public access to evidence recorded on police cameras. (Photo: University of Cincinnati Campus Police via AP, File)

Citizens' Cameras in Some States  - Many states have started to strengthen laws allowing citizens to record police activities. Laws passed in Colorado and Connecticut could hold police agencies liable for interfering with citizens if they are recording a video.  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Citizens' Cameras in Some States  - Many states have started to strengthen laws allowing citizens to record police activities. Laws passed in Colorado and Connecticut could hold police agencies liable for interfering with citizens if they are recording a video.  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Laws Regarding Deadly Force Unclear  - In Illinois, a recently passed bill prohibits police from using chokeholds unless the action is justified. Few states have altered their laws to clearly define when the chokehold is justified. For example, Missouri’s deadly force statute allegedly does not comply with the 1985 Supreme Court ruling. Legislation to change this policy was not completed. (Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

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Laws Regarding Deadly Force Unclear  - In Illinois, a recently passed bill prohibits police from using chokeholds unless the action is justified. Few states have altered their laws to clearly define when the chokehold is justified. For example, Missouri’s deadly force statute allegedly does not comply with the 1985 Supreme Court ruling. Legislation to change this policy was not completed. (Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Outside Investigations Become Required - Several states have moved to require investigations of cases involving police brutality to be reviewed by outside entities. Connecticut, Illinois and Utah require outside investigations, according to the Associated Press. In addition, Colorado requires a multi-agency investigation. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York has required special prosecutors to investigate cases in which the police kill unarmed citizens. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Outside Investigations Become Required - Several states have moved to require investigations of cases involving police brutality to be reviewed by outside entities. Connecticut, Illinois and Utah require outside investigations, according to the Associated Press. In addition, Colorado requires a multi-agency investigation. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York has required special prosecutors to investigate cases in which the police kill unarmed citizens. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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States Decrease Militarized Police Presence  - Multiple states have also passed laws to monitor police departments that want to use military equipment. Montana requires public notice before buying military equipment and prohibits the possession of armored military vehicles. A New Jersey bill requires approval from a local governing body to acquire military equipment.  (Photo: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

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States Decrease Militarized Police Presence  - Multiple states have also passed laws to monitor police departments that want to use military equipment. Montana requires public notice before buying military equipment and prohibits the possession of armored military vehicles. A New Jersey bill requires approval from a local governing body to acquire military equipment.  (Photo: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Precincts Tackle Racial Bias - A movement to address racial bias in police arrests has swept across most states. Colorado, Connecticut and Illinois all require training on bias-free policing. In addition, the Associated Press also reported that Maryland and Rhode Island approved bills requiring the racial makeup of subjects to be collected and reported. (Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

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Precincts Tackle Racial Bias - A movement to address racial bias in police arrests has swept across most states. Colorado, Connecticut and Illinois all require training on bias-free policing. In addition, the Associated Press also reported that Maryland and Rhode Island approved bills requiring the racial makeup of subjects to be collected and reported. (Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

NAACP Leader Speaks Out  - Although Ferguson has prompted wide-sweeping changes across the country, many civil rights leaders have stated that much more needs to be accomplished. "What we have right now in the country is an emerging consensus as to the need to act," said NAACP President Cornell William Brooks told the Associated Press. "What we don't have is a consensus as to how to act, what to act on and how to do this in some kind of priority order."(Photo: Nick Schnelle/The Columbia Daily Tribune via AP, File)

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NAACP Leader Speaks Out  - Although Ferguson has prompted wide-sweeping changes across the country, many civil rights leaders have stated that much more needs to be accomplished. "What we have right now in the country is an emerging consensus as to the need to act," said NAACP President Cornell William Brooks told the Associated Press. "What we don't have is a consensus as to how to act, what to act on and how to do this in some kind of priority order."(Photo: Nick Schnelle/The Columbia Daily Tribune via AP, File)

Washington Identifies Image Problem  - In addition, political leaders are pushing for the dedication of monetary funds to the widespread distribution of body cameras to police precincts. "Right now, all law enforcement has an image problem," said California Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer, a Democrat from Los Angeles whose budget subcommittee allotted $1 million for a pilot project outfitting some Highway Patrol troopers with cameras. "They've got to show that they can police their own."(Photo: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

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Washington Identifies Image Problem  - In addition, political leaders are pushing for the dedication of monetary funds to the widespread distribution of body cameras to police precincts. "Right now, all law enforcement has an image problem," said California Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer, a Democrat from Los Angeles whose budget subcommittee allotted $1 million for a pilot project outfitting some Highway Patrol troopers with cameras. "They've got to show that they can police their own."(Photo: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Some States Still Haven't Done Enough - While some states are appropriately shifting their policies, other states have barely begun to implement necessary change. This is particularly evident in Missouri, the home of the Ferguson protests. "As a state, we have not done much," said state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, who represents Ferguson and was among the protesters who were tear-gassed by police. "We have a bunch of chumps who are elected right now who are more comfortable keeping the status quo."(Photo: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

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Some States Still Haven't Done Enough - While some states are appropriately shifting their policies, other states have barely begun to implement necessary change. This is particularly evident in Missouri, the home of the Ferguson protests. "As a state, we have not done much," said state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, who represents Ferguson and was among the protesters who were tear-gassed by police. "We have a bunch of chumps who are elected right now who are more comfortable keeping the status quo."(Photo: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)