E.P.P. 057
LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE
NUMBER: EPP – 57
SUBJECT: IN-CAR VIDEO CAMERA SYSTEM
EFFECTIVE: JUNE 8, 2015
REVISED: NOVEMBER 1, 2023
ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
IN-CAR VIDEO CAMERA SYSTEM
EPP – 57 Page 1 of 5
I. PURPOSE
This policy will provide guidelines on the use of the in-car video camera system.
II. SCOPE
The Longwood Police Department is committed to maintaining the highest level of
integrity and professionalism within the community we serve. The agency provides in-car
video camera systems to officers to provide objective documentation of officer and
citizen encounters. These video systems capture evidence useful for the prosecution of
criminal cases while increasing officer safety.
III. GENERAL
Officers operating patrol vehicles with in-car video camera systems are required to strictly
adhere to this policy and all applicable State and Federal laws related to video and audio
recordings.
IV. TRAINING
A. All officers will receive training consisting of the following:
1. A hands-on orientation of the in-car video camera system during the Field
Training Program
2. A hands-on orientation of the in-car video camera system by a supervisor
for officers not orientated during the Field Training Program
3. A review of the agency in-car camera system policy
4. A review of the camera manufacturer's user guide
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IN-CAR VIDEO CAMERA SYSTEM
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V. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE AND MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Officers operating agency vehicles with in-car video camera systems will follow
these operational procedures:
1. Before going on duty, officers will ensure the camera system is powered
on and operating properly.
a. Officers will forward a Vehicle Service Work Order to their
supervisor documenting camera deficiencies as soon as practical.
2. While on duty, the camera system will remain powered on with the
camera pointing forward and positioned to capture in front of the vehicle
with the zoom extended out to include the largest possible area.
a. Officers are permitted to adjust the camera during an event
when necessary to better capture citizen encounters.
3. The wireless microphone will be worn and activated at all times when
recording an event.
VI. CRITERIA FOR ACTIVATION AND RECORDING PROCEDURES:
A. Officers operating agency vehicles with in-car video camera systems will follow
these recording procedures:
1. The following situations will be recorded by the camera system:
a. All vehicle pursuits;
b. All DUI investigations;
c. All high risk/ felon stops or incidents;
d. All traffic stops;
e. All emergency police vehicle responses by the officer, whether or
not emergency equipment is used
f. Suspect searches, when safe and possible.
2. Officers are encouraged to utilize the camera system under the following
circumstances:
ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
IN-CAR VIDEO CAMERA SYSTEM
EPP – 57 Page 3 of 5
a. In progress calls if the vehicle can be safely positioned for the
camera;
b. When in contact with suspicious persons;
c. During physical arrests;
d. Officer response to resistance incidents;
e. Crash scenes with road blockage or other major impacts to traffic
flow
3. Officers may use the camera system at their discretion at any time they
are in the performance of their duties where video or audio
documentation would be a benefit.
4. The camera system may be manually deactivated during non-
enforcement activities where emergency equipment is operational for an
extended time (e.g. traffic direction, special details).
5. If an encounter is pursuant to a lawful police investigation, individuals do
not have to be informed they are being audio recorded. However, during
all other encounters, anyone being audio recorded must be informed in
advance.
6. When arrestees or detainees are placed in the vehicle, the in-car video
camera system's rear facing, interior viewing, camera and interior
microphone will be activated.
a. The camera and microphone will actively record at all times when
the subject is in the vehicle.
1. Officers may temporarily suspend audio recordings when
they are broadcasting or receiving confidential
information via the police radio or cellular phone or in
furtherance of an on-going criminal investigation.
2. The officer will resume audio recordings as soon as the
restricted communication is complete.
b. Officers shall turn off or sufficiently mute the vehicle’s AM/FM
radios as not to compromise the audio recording.
ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
IN-CAR VIDEO CAMERA SYSTEM
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VII. VIDEO RETENTION AND DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES:
A. Officers operating agency vehicles with in-car video camera systems will follow
these video download and storage procedures:
1. Officers are responsible for ensuring all video recordings are downloaded
to the dedicated server.
2. Video recordings of non-evidentiary value will be stored on the dedicated
server for 365 days. After 365 days, the I.T. Department will purge the
video recordings from the system after a records destruction request has
been completed and approved.
3. Video recordings of evidentiary value for misdemeanor and felony crimes
will be stored in the dedicated server and the officer will be responsible
for saving a copy to a CD or DVD and then submitting the disk into
evidence as detailed in E.P.P. 11- Evidence Collection.
4. Video recordings capturing incidents in whole, or part, that require
documentation and administrative review will be saved to a CD or DVD
and included with the administrative review package (e.g. instances of an
officer's response to resistance, vehicle pursuits, tire deflation device
use).
5. If video footage is captured of an incident requiring the completion of a
Café report, officers will ensure the narrative section of the Café report
documents the video was captured and has been submitted into
evidence.
VIII. PROHIBITED USES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE IN- CAR VIDEO CAMERA SYSTEM:
A. Officers will not use the camera system until the requirements listed in the
training section of this policy are met.
B. Officers will not make, or attempt to make, any internal repairs to the camera
system at any time.
C. The camera systems and their recordings shall not be utilized for personal use or
any other non-duty related situations.
D. Officers will not, or attempt to, unplug, relocate, remove, or otherwise hinder the
normal operation of the camera system.
E. Officers will not, or attempt to, change the camera settings.
ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
IN-CAR VIDEO CAMERA SYSTEM
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IX. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Supervisors will conduct semi-monthly inspections of the camera systems
assigned to officers under their supervision to ensure the camera systems are
operating properly.
B. Supervisors will ensure Vehicle Service Work Order forms are submitted as soon
as practical when it is learned a camera system is not operating properly.
C. Supervisors will conduct random reviews of downloaded video recordings from
officers assigned to their supervision to evaluate officer performance. The
reviews will be conducted, at a minimum, on a monthly basis.