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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 ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE IN-CAR VIDEO CAMERA SYSTEM EPP – 57 Page 2 of 5 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 EPP – 57 Page 4 of 5 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 EPP – 57 Page 5 of 5 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.