3-06/200.00 - Body Worn Cameras

The purpose of this policy is to establish responsibilities and procedures for the use and deployment of the Department issued body worn camera (BWC) and the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS).

The following provisions provide Department members with instructions on the use of BWCs to ensure reliable recording of enforcement and investigative contacts with the public. The Department has adopted the use of BWCs by uniformed personnel to:

• Collect evidence for use in criminal investigations and prosecutions;
• Deter criminal activity and uncooperative behavior during law enforcement interactions with the public;
• Assist personnel with completing reports and providing testimony;
• Promote accountability;
• Assist with resolving public complaints and administrative investigations; and
• Provide additional information for employee evaluation, training, and improvement.

BWCs provide additional information regarding enforcement and investigative contacts with a member of the public.  The quality and utility of BWC recordings may be limited by factors including lighting, camera position, and movement.  A BWC recording may not capture the Department member’s line-of-sight, record the events as the Department member experienced them, record the Department member’s perceptions and/or fears, or account for the Department member’s reaction time to an event.  It is incumbent upon the criminal and administrative investigators, and the reviewers to understand and account for limitations of video and all other available evidence, including witness statements and forensic analysis when evaluating a Department member’s actions.